Anmol scores twice as India beat Malaysia 3-1 to storm into fourth straight Junior Asia Cup final

In-form captain Anmol Ekka struck twice as defending champions India defeated Malaysia 3-1 on Friday to storm into their fourth consecutive AHF Men’s Junior Asia Cup final and move within one victory of a fourth straight continental crown.

Drag-flicker Anmol once again led from the front, converting two penalty corners to take his tournament tally to an impressive 16 goals and consolidate his position at the top of the scoring charts. Goalkeeper Vivek Lakra was equally influential, producing a string of crucial saves, including a penalty-stroke stop in the fourth quarter. India, chasing their fourth consecutive and sixth overall Junior Asia Cup title, will face the winners of the other semi-final between Pakistan and South Korea.

Anmol breaks Malaysian resistance

India began aggressively, with Ajeet Yadav twice coming close inside the opening two minutes after intelligently getting on the end of long balls played from deep defence. The defending champions soon earned three penalty corners, but Malaysian goalkeeper Amsyar Mohamad Adib made a couple of fine saves to keep them out. Another opportunity arrived following a turnover in the 12th minute, but India were again unable to capitalise, while Malaysia threatened in the closing stages of the opening quarter without troubling Lakra.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 16th minute when India earned their fourth penalty corner. Anmol, positioned at the first battery, fired a powerful low drag-flick past Amsyar to give India a 1-0 lead.

Malaysia responded almost immediately and forced Lakra into an excellent save in the 17th minute before earning their first penalty corner. India’s first rusher made an important block, however, ensuring the defending champions retained their advantage.

Lakra stands tall under pressure

Malaysia stepped up the pressure after the interval and Lakra emerged as India’s defensive pillar. The goalkeeper produced a superb double save in the 34th minute and followed it with another stop moments later as Malaysia searched for an equaliser.

India’s task became more difficult when Manmeet Singh Rai received a yellow card in the 36th minute, temporarily reducing the side to 10 players. Prabhdeep Singh was also shown a yellow card in the 41st minute, forcing India to negotiate another period with a player fewer.

Despite Malaysia’s pressure, India protected their slender advantage and entered the final quarter still ahead.

Sukhvinder gives India breathing room

India finally found the second goal in the 51st minute. After a Malaysian defensive touch initially denied them, India quickly mounted another circle entry and Sukhvinder finished the move to double the advantage.

Malaysia were handed a golden opportunity to get back into the contest when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute. Lakra, however, read the attempt superbly, diving sharply to his left and getting his glove to the ball to preserve India’s two-goal cushion.

India immediately turned defence into attack and earned a penalty corner in the 54th minute. Malaysia challenged the decision through a video referral but were unsuccessful, leaving Anmol with another opportunity from the set-piece.

The captain made no mistake, powering his drag-flick past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 and effectively seal India’s place in the title clash.

India one win away from fourth straight crown

Malaysia continued searching for a goal and earned their eighth penalty corner with only 24 seconds remaining. M Rahuul finally beat the Indian defence to reduce the deficit to 3-1, but it came far too late to threaten India’s victory.

The result extends India’s remarkable consistency at the continental junior competition, putting the defending champions into the final for the fourth successive edition.

With Anmol in prolific scoring form and Lakra delivering decisive performances in goal, India will now head into the title clash seeking a fourth consecutive Junior Asia Cup triumph and their sixth championship overall.