Naaveenesh panicker

Sourabh Anand Kushwaha: The Indian junior men’s hockey team produced a fine performance, as they defeated Malaysia 2-1 in their final pool-stage match of the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 in Johor, Malaysia, on Friday. The win takes India into the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025, where they will face Australia.

Playing against Malaysia, India opened the scoring through Gurjot Singh (22’), while Sourabh Anand Kushwaha (48’) scored the winner. For Malaysia, Naaveenesh Panicker (43’) found the back of the net.

With one eye on qualification for the final, the Indian junior men’s hockey team started on the front foot against Malaysia. The Indian forwards looked sharp and were attacking in waves, putting the hosts under pressure. Malaysia, however, did not sit back and attack, but India’s defence held tight. Neither side, though, could break the deadlock by the end of the first quarter, with the teams going into the breather locked at 0-0.