The men’s India A hockey team defeated Australian Capital Territory 2-0 its final Pool B match to progress to the next round of the Australian Hockey League here today.
Affan Yousuf (5th minute) and Armaan Qureshi (46th) scored the goals for India. A strong defensive performance meant that India, who needed a win to progress, remained in the hunt for the trophy, accumulating seven points with two wins, one draw and a loss.
India’s defensive line maintained their shape throughout the first two quarters as they managed to maintain their slender lead at half-time.
India started the match aggressively as they dished out attacking hockey in the early stages which led to Affan scoring a fine field goal in the fifth minute to give the lead to the visitors.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the visitors produced entertaining hockey with some slick passing which saw Armaan scoring India’s second field goal of the match in the 46th minute to make it 2-0 in their favour.
A strong performance from the defence meant that the India progressed to the next round of the tournament and remain in the hunt to win the trophy, accumulating seven points with two wins, one draw and a loss from their four Pool B games.