The Indian junior men’s hockey team got off to a winning start in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025, edging Britain 3-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Saturday.
Captain Rohit (45’+, 52′) and Ravneet Singh (23′) scored for India, while Michael Royden (26′) and Kaden Draysey (46′) found the net for the English side.
The first quarter saw both sides play end-to-end hockey, with neither able to break the deadlock. India earned their first penalty corner in the 13th minute, but Britain’s defence and goalkeeper denied them. A second penalty corner in the 16th minute also went begging as the British keeper made two crucial saves.
Manmeet Singh’s shot on goal in the 22nd minute was cleared off the line, but India finally broke through in the 23rd minute. Gurjot Singh’s incisive run from the right delivered a precise pass to Ravneet Singh, who slotted it home.
Britain responded quickly, equalising three minutes later when captain Max Anderson set up Michael Royden for a top-left corner finish. By halftime, both teams had shown attacking intent, with India making 10 circle entries and Britain nine.
The third quarter saw a slower pace, with both sides struggling to find gaps in tight defence. In the 45th minute, India earned a penalty corner, which Rohit expertly converted at the buzzer to put his side ahead. Britain quickly levelled again through a converted penalty stroke by Kaden Draysey in the 46th minute.
The match reached a dramatic climax as India earned three successive penalty corners in the 50th, 51st, and 52nd minutes. Rohit calmly converted the third attempt to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory for the hosts.
India will next take on New Zealand on Sunday.