In a charged under-21 showdown at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, India’s junior men’s team found itself trailing 0-1 against Pakistan in the second quarter of their Sultan of Johor Cup pool-stage match on Tuesday evening. Abdul Hannan Shahid, Pakistan’s captain, converted a penalty stroke early in the first quarter to give his side the slender lead, as the Indians battled with 10 players following an early card. Under the guidance of legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh as head coach, India has dominated the tournament so far, but this high-stakes rivalry—marred by off-field tensions—tested their unbeaten streak from the outset.

The match commenced on an unusually cordial yet tense note, with both teams opting for high-fives instead of traditional handshakes, adhering to a reported "no handshake" policy enforced by Indian authorities in protest against a recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. This gesture echoed recent cricket confrontations, including the Asia Cup 2025, where similar protocols were observed, highlighting the spillover of geopolitical strains into sports diplomacy.

Pakistan’s junior squad was reportedly briefed on the protocol by their federation to avoid confrontations, emphasising focus on the game amid the electric atmosphere. No Indian broadcaster is airing the fixture, limiting visibility, though live streams are available on the Ashley Morrison Media YouTube channel.

India entered the contest atop the standings with six points from back-to-back victories: a gritty 3-2 thriller over Great Britain on October 11, where Rohit scored twice late (45+’ and 52’) and Ravneet Singh added one (23’), and a commanding 4-2 win against New Zealand on October 12, powered by goals from Arshdeep Singh (2’), P.B. Sunil (15’), Araijeet Singh Hundal (26’), and Rosan Kujur (47’). Sreejesh, who retired from international play after the Paris Olympics bronze, stressed the tournament’s role in nurturing future stars, urging his charges to "focus on duty and play the normal game" despite the pressure. Pakistan, ranked fourth with three points, seeks redemption after a 7-1 rout of hosts Malaysia but a 2-3 loss to Great Britain, relying on Shahid’s leadership to challenge India’s defensive resilience.

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The Sultan of Johor Cup, an annual invitational featuring six nations including Australia, Great Britain, Malaysia, and New Zealand, serves as a crucial preparatory platform for the FIH Junior World Cup. With India aiming for a third straight title—having won in 2022 and 2023—this encounter could define pool supremacy, as both sides vie for semifinal spots. As the second quarter unfolded, India pressed for an equaliser, their midfield probing Pakistan’s backline, but the visitors held firm. Sreejesh’s watchful eye from the sidelines underscored the match’s intensity, a microcosm of the enduring Asia hockey rivalry where skill often intersects with symbolism.

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