India settled for silver medal in the 13th Sultan of Johor Cup Mens Junior (U-21) International Hockey Tournament as they went down to Australia 1-2 in the final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia today. Anmol Ekka scored the only goal for India in the final match. While Australia won the gold medal for the third time, Great Britain claimed the bronze, getting the better of Pakistan 3-2.
India qualified for the final, finishing second at the league stage with 10 points from five matches. Led by Rohit, the Indian junior team won three games, drew one and lost one. India beat Great Britain 3-2, New Zealand 4-2, Malaysia 2-1; drew with Pakistan 3-3 and lost to Australia 2-4.
Three players from Odisha represented the 18-member Indian Junior team in this tournament. They were: Anoml Ekka, Roshan Kujur and Adrohit Ekka. Odisha hockey Olympian Birendra Lakra was one of three coaches of the Indian team.
INDIAN JUNIOR (U-21) HOCKEY TEAM: Goalkeepers: Bikramjit Singh, Prince Deep Singh. Defenders: Amir Ali, Anmol Ekka, Ravneet Singh, Rohit (C), Sunil PB, Talem Priyobarta. Mid-fielders: Adrohit Ekka, Ankit Pal, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Thokchom Kingson Singh. Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Akashdeep Singh, Gurjot Singh, Sourabh Anand Khushwaha.
Coaches & Support Staff: PR Sreejesh (Head Coach), Janardhana Chowdlu Babu, Birendra Lakra (both coaches), Yashwin Shetty (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Muhammed Minhaj Thaikandy (Assistant Physiotherapist), Ashok Kumar Chinnasamy (Video Analyst), Ugin Antony (Manager).
TEAM INDIA RESULTS:
11 October (League match): India (Ravneet Singh 23-FG, Rohit 45+PC, 52-PC) beat Great Britain (Michael Royden 26-FG, Kaden Draysey 46-PS) 3-2.
12 October (League match): India (Arshdeep Singh 2-FG, Sunil PB 15-PC, Araijeet Singh Hundal 26-FG, Rosan Kujur 47-PC) beat New Zealand (Gus Nelson 41-FG, Aiden Bax 52-FG) 4-2.
14 October (League match): India (Araijeet Singh Hundal 43-PS, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha 47-FG, Manmeet Singh 53-FG) drew with Pakistan (Hannan Shahid 5-PS, Sufyan Khan 39-PC, 55-PC) 3-3.
15 October (League match): India (Rohit 22-PC, Arshdeep Singh 44-FG) lost to Australia (Oscar Sproule 39-FG, 42-FG, Patrick Andrew 40-PC, Dylan Downey 51-PC) 2-4.
17 October (League match): India (Gurjot Singh 11-PC, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha 48-PC) beat Malaysia (Naaveenesh Panicker 43-FG) 2-1.
18 October (Final): India (Anmol Ekka 17-PC) lost to Australia (Ian Grobbelaar 13-PC, 59-PC) 1-2.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players, coaches and support staff of Indian junior mens hockey team celebrate with their runners-up trophy at the Sultan of Johor Cup Junior International Hockey Tournament in Johor Bahru on 18 October 2025.