Armaan stars as India juniors beat Tassie Tigers in AHL

Armaan Qureshi scored a brace as India prevailed over the Tassie Tigers 3-2 to record their third victory in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) here on Monday.

Both teams started off on a attacking mode but it was India which made early penetration in the D -- however, the goal was denied by Jayden Pearson.

Soon after, India's first runners defended strongly to deny the Tassies via penalty corner. However, in the 10th minute, Armaan gave India the breakthrough with a field goal.

In the 12th minute though, the Tigers equalised through James Dick's goal. Almost after the restart, India won a PC and this time, Varun Kumar made it count, slotting the ball home to wrest back the lead heading into the first break.

The second quarter saw both teams attempt PCs, but some stout defending denied either team a goal. The teams headed into halftime separated by the single goal, India leading 2-1.

The two teams came in the second half, both intent on sticking to a game plan that would nick them the points from the clash. India, in the lead, were content with passing the ball around neatly within their ranks, and soaked up the pressure from the Tigers going into the final break with the lead.

The Tigers got the equaliser in the 50th minute via a William Shaw PC conversion. It wasn't to last for too long though as Qureshi got his second goal of the game in the 54th minute to fire India back into the lead.

Coach Harendra Singh said after the game: "The boys showed a lot of maturity in controlling the game and not giving away possession impatiently, in the periods where the Tigers were defending well."

"It was also this sort of mind-set that helped us bounce back immediately, each time we conceded an equaliser. Overall a smart performance," he said.

--IANS

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