Harmanpreet's late goal helps India lift Johor Cup title

Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners to help India successfully defend its Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 hockey title, beating Great Britain 2-1 in a keenly-contested final.

Harmanpreet (45th and 90 minutes) slammed home two set pieces at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium to take his goals tally to eight in the tournament.

For Great Britain Samuel French (55th minute) was the lone goal score.

Great Britain, unbeaten in the preliminary round, came into the final with a psychological advantage over India having beaten them 2-0 in their round-robin clash.

But defending champions India had a record to play for as they wanted to be the first team to win the title twice since the inception of SOJC in 2011.

Malaysia had won the inaugural title with Germany winning in 2012 and India last year.

And the young Indians achieved their goal with a late winner from Harmanpreet.

Harmanpreet scored the winner for India with just 45 seconds from time by converting his second penalty corner of the day.

It was a hard-fought encounter between India and Great Britain as both the teams did not give an inch to each other atleast in the opening half.

But India finally took the lead in the 45th minute through a Harmanpreet's penalty corner conversion. Varun Kumar then got a chance to double India's lead but his attempt from a penalty corner in the 53rd flew inches wide.

Great Britain then added salt to India's wound when French converted a penalty corner in the 55th minute to level scores at 1-1.

A controversy then erupted in the 62nd minute when Indian custodian Abhnav Pandey was shown the green card and an outfield player was taken off to bring on substitute keeper Subodh Tirkey.

With the match heading towards a shot-off, India were awarded another penalty corner just 45 seconds from the hooter and Harmanpreet duly convert the chance to help India retain the title.

In the bronze medal play-off earlier in the day, Australia defeated New Zealand 6-2 to finish third.

Hockey India President Narinder Batra congratulated the colts for their terrific achievement.

"Similar to the Indian men's national team at the 17thAsian Games, the Indian junior team too has brought us pride by winning the Sultan of Johor Cup for the second time and given us yet another reason to celebrate the laurels they have brought home today," he said.

"I would like to congratulate all the players and coach Harendra Singh along with all the members of the support staff on this proud moment and wish them all the luck for their future endeavours."