India created history by winning the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup after a gap of 15 long years with a clinical 2-1 victory against Belgium in the final, here tonight.
The hosts scored two beautifully crafted field goals in the first half through Gurjant Singh (8th minute) and Simranjeet Singh (22nd) while controlling the proceedings for better part of the game to emerge as deserving winners.
The team coached by Harendra Singh in association with senior team’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans accomplished what the ‘Class of 2001’ comprising of some of the best of their times like Gagan Ajit Singh, Yugraj Singh achieved then.
This was also the first time a host nation has won the Junior World Cup.
The who’s-who of Indian celebrities sent in their wishes.
Proud moment for @TheHockeyIndia on winning the Junior Hockey World Cup. Many congratulations to all and Best Wishes.#JuniorHockeyWorldCup
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari)
The sporting fraternity, as expected, was full of praise for the team’s historic win.
With PTI inputs