Forward player Araijeet Singh Hundal’s hat-trick helped the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team to defeat Asian rivals Korea in their opening match of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023 on Tuesday at the National Hockey Stadium. Araijeet (11′, 16′, 41′) found the net thrice, while Amandeep (30′) chipped in with a goal for India. Dohyun Lim (38′) and Minkwon Kim (45′) were the goal scorers for Korea. Indian men will be striving for a fourth podium result at this year’s tournament. India will take on Spain in their second encounter on December 7, Thursday.

The match began quietly, with both teams attempting to create spaces in each other’s half but failing to create much danger. India had the first meaningful attack with significantly better ball possession, but Sudeep Chirmako’s reverse flick from the right side went over the goalpost. India made further efforts inside Korea’s circle, earning their first penalty corner of the game. Araijeet broke the deadlock in the 11th minute with a muddled penalty corner routine.

India capitalized on the momentum, doubling their advantage with a remarkable field goal in the first minute of the second quarter. Bobby made a brilliant attacking run along the baseline, passing to Araijeet, who tapped the ball in from the middle with ease to make it 2-0. India applied increasing pressure with offensive runs, but the Korean defense held them off. They also earned their first penalty corner in the 29th minute but failed to convert it. India soon rallied, increasing their lead to 3-0 on Amandeep’s goal from an open play in the final minute of the first half.

In the second half, Korea launched an unconventional attack. In the 38th minute, Dohyun’s penalty corner shot gave them a goal back. Araijeet completed his hat-trick on a reverse flick in the 41st minute of the contest, restoring India’s three-goal lead.

With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, India was down to nine players, which Korea took advantage of. They gained a penalty corner, which Kim converted to bring the score to 2-4 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter was a toss-up, with both teams making bold surges. Korea had a few penalty corners but could not capitalize on them. India also had numerous scoring chances, as well as a penalty corner, but failed to score their fifth goal, resulting in a 4-2 victory.