Araijeet's Hat-Trick Propels India's Victory Over Korea in Junior Men's Hockey WC Opener

Forward Araijeet Singh Hundal netted a hat-trick as the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team beat Asian rivals Korea in their opening match of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023. In the inaugural match at the National Hockey Stadium, forward Araijeet Singh Hundal's impressive hat-trick led the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team to a 4-2 triumph over Asian rivals Korea. Araijeet found the net thrice (11', 16', 41'), with Amandeep (30') contributing another goal for India. Korea's goals came from Dohyun Lim (38') and Minkwon Kim (45'). The match started quietly, with both teams vying for space in each other's halves. Despite a slightly better ball possession, India's first real attack, featuring Sudeep Chirmako's reverse flick from the right flank, sailed over the goalpost.

India continued to make inroads inside Korea's circle and earned their first penalty corner of the match. It was Araijeet who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute during a jumbled penalty corner routine. India rode on the momentum as they doubled their lead with a stunning field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter. Bobby made a sublime attacking run along the baseline, playing it to Araijeet who slotted the ball home with ease from the middle to make it 2-0.

India kept mounting pressure with attacking runs, but the Korean defence kept them at bay. They also managed to earn their first penalty corner in the 29th minute but missed out on converting it. India responded immediately and extended their lead to 3-0 through Amandeep, who found the back of the net from an open play in the last minute of the first half. Korea came up with an improvised attack in the second half. They pulled a goal back through Dohyun's penalty corner strike in the 38th minute. However, India regained their three-goal lead as Arajieet completed his hat-trick on a reverse flick in the 41st minute of the match.

In the closing three minutes of the third quarter, India found themselves reduced to 9 players, and Korea seized the opportunity, earning a penalty corner. Minkwon Kim successfully converted it, narrowing the score to 2-4 by the end of the third quarter. The final quarter witnessed a back-and-forth exchange, with both teams launching aggressive attacks. Despite a couple of penalty corners for Korea, they couldn't capitalize on them. India, too, had multiple goal-scoring opportunities, including a penalty corner, but fell short of securing their fifth goal, ultimately concluding the match with a 4-2 victory. India is scheduled to face Spain in their second match of the tournament.