Indian junior men's hockey team produced an inspiring second half performance as they beat Western Australia Thundersticks 3-1 in their final Pool B encounter of the Australian Hockey League here today.
The win kept India unbeaten in the tournament and put them at the top of Pool B.
A composed first quarter saw both sides cancel each other out in a midfield battle.
India were the ones who were pushed to the back foot early on, conceding a penalty corner, but Vikas Dahiya's smart save ensured both teams went into the first break locked in a stalemate.
Early in the second quarter, the Thundersticks captain Chris Bausor converted his team's second penalty corner of the game giving them the lead.
Western Australia kept up the pressure, with another PC but were again denied by Dahiya, ensuring India would go into half time down by the single goal.
India stormed out of the blocks in the second half, and soon enough Sumit scored the goal to draw them level. It was the inspiration the Indians needed. With the teams level, India were suddenly on the front foot, crowding the midfield and pushing Western Australia deep into defence.
With their first PC of the game, Varun Kumar found the net, giving India the lead in the 39th minute. A minute later, he had his second with another PC.
From being a goal down, India had stormed to a two-goal lead within 10 minutes of the second half. It was a lead they held on to going into the final break.
India played out the final quarter smartly and cautiously, avoiding needless fouls and turnovers to take a well deserved victory.
India will now take on Victorian Vikings in the first semifinal of the AHL on October 7.
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