Indian juniors win hockey Test

True to expectations, India outplayed Malaysia 3-1, after leading by a solitary goal at the lemon break, in the first junior hockey Test between the two countries at the Begumpet hockey stadium in Hyderabad on Monday.

The goal scorers for India were Somesh Kantha, Amarjit Singh and Deepak Thakur, while Boon Huat reduced the margin for Malaysia.

The second match in the four-Test series will be on Tuesday. Wednesday is a rest day and the third and fourth matches will be on Thursday and Friday.

The Indians should have been two goals up within the first five minutes but Somesh Kantha frittered away easy chances in the first and third minutes.

Malaysia took time to settle down and stytematically penetrated the Indian defence with hard running, forcing three penalty-corners but without success.

But the Indians, who made most of their attacks from the right, slowed down the pace and forged ahead in the 20th minute through Somesh Kantha, who made amends for his earlier lapses, converting a cross from Jagbir Singh.

The second half saw the Indians in full cry. Amarjit Singh increased the lead in the 41th minute, converting a penalty-corner before Deepak Thakur made it 3-0 in the 55th minute with a superb reverse stick shot after beating two defenders.

Boon Haut converted a penalty-corner in the 57th minute to reduce the margin for Malaysia.

The goal appeared to have spurred the visitors, who pressed hard and forced a couple of penalty-corners but were unable to increase their tally.

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