New Delhi:
India defeated Australia in semi-final match in penalty shoot out to qualify for the finals of Junior Hockey World Cup 2016, where team India will face Belgium. At half time Australia was leading the score by 1-0.Â
Earlier in the tournament, India defeated  Canada 4-0 in their opening match, scored a close 5-3 win against England and then beat South Africa 2-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals. They also defeated then Spain 2-1 to make it to the last four.
India, who last won the Junior World Cup way back in 2001 in Hobart, are on a mission to reclaim the title and will face Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday. The hosts scored two skillful field goals in the second half through Gurjant Singh (42nd minute) and Mandeep Singh (48th) after Australia took the lead through Tom Craig in 14th minute.  Â
But just when it was time to close out the game, the Indian defence conceded a soft goal and Lachlan Sharp 57th drew level for Australia to take the match into shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.  Â
In the shoot-out, goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya rose to the occasion and made two fantastic saves to deny Australia's Matthew Bird and Sharp. Â The Indians, on the other hand, were clinical in the shoot-out with skipper Harjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumitand Manpreet (Jr) finding the back of the net past the Australian custodian.
FULL TIME: India edge out a nerve-wracking win over Australia in the shoot-out to advance into the final of the #HJWC2016! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/4gA1A3IyWQ
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 16, 2016Â
(With inputs from PTI)
