India finish as runners-up in Johor Cup after 2-1 loss to Australia

India’s junior men’s hockey team finished as runners up at the Sultan of Johor Cup on Saturday after falling 2-1 to Australia in the final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru. Australia’s Ian Grobbelaar struck from the top of the circle in the first quarter and again late in the match, while India levelled through a second‑quarter penalty corner finish by Anmol Ekka. India mounted pressure in the closing stages and earned several penalty corners but were unable to convert, leaving Australia to claim the title.

The final capped a tournament in which India went unbeaten through the pool phase until a midweek defeat by Australia. India opened their campaign with a 3-2 win over Great Britain, with captain Rohit among the scorers. They followed that with a 4-2 victory over New Zealand, where Arshdeep Singh, P.B. Sunil, Araijeet Singh Hundal and Roman Kumur found the net. A 3-3 draw with Pakistan saw India recover from a two‑goal deficit to take the lead before Pakistan levelled late. A 4-2 pool loss to Australia, in which Rohit and Arshdeep scored, left India second in the standings, and a 2-1 win over hosts Malaysia in the final pool match secured India a place in the...