It’s a bronze medal for India again!

India triumphed 3-2 over New Zealand in a thrilling penalty shootout after it ended 2-2 in regulation time to claim the bronze medal in the 12^th Sultan of Johor Cup.

The victory at the Johor Baru Hockey Stadium on Taman Daya saw India, champions in 2013, 2014 and 2022, secure back-to-back bronze medals.

In the 2023 edition, India and Pakistan were locked 3-3 at the end of the third-fourth playoff match. However, in the shootout the Indians won 6-5.

The Junior Black Sticks equaled their 2014 performance of finishing fourth in the tournament.

India took the lead through Dilraj Singh in the 11^th minute and Manmeet Singh extended the score to 2-0 nine minutes later via field goals. However, the Kiwis fought back gallantly to equalise to 2-2 within a space of seven minutes.

Oven Brown reduced the deficit to 1-2 in the 51^st minute and Jonty Elmes levelled the score to 2-2 in the 57^th minute. Both were field goals.

In the ensuing shootout, Gurgot Singh, Manmeet Singh and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha scored for India. Goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh held his nerves in the shootout to make three daring saves that denied New Zealand from scoring.

India’s Arshdeep Singh and New Zealand’s Matthew Wilson tussle for the ball in the SOJC bronze medal playoff match on Saturday.