Two-time champions India outclassed Australia 5-4 in a nail-biting penalty shootout to reclaim their third Sultan of Johor Cup crown, breaking their five-year-old title jinx here on Saturday.
The teams were level at 1-1 after regulation time in the title encounter. In the shootout, both teams ended with 3-3 scoreline, forcing the match into sudden death.
India started off with Vishnukant Singh, who calmly lifted it over the keeper and into the back of the net. Liam Hart then scored Australia’s first goal in the shootout, after which Sudeep shot wide, and the tie-breaker was locked at 1-1 after the first two shots. Mohith foiled Jayden Atkinson’s attempt, before captain Uttam Singh won a penalty stroke, which Sharda Nand Tiwari promptly put away, giving India a 2-1 lead.
Uttam Singh scored twice in the shootout, including in sudden death, while Vishnukant Singh, Ankit Pal, Sudeep Chirmako also sounded the board for India.
The Indians have won the age group tournament twice 2013 and 2014 and finished second best four times in 2012, 2015, 2018 and the last edition of the event in 2019.
The tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.