The Indian junior men's hockey team's quest for Sultan of Johor Cup glory ended in heartbreak as Australia clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory in the final at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Australia's Ian Grobbelaar emerged as the match hero, converting two crucial penalty corners to secure his team's first-ever victory over India in a Sultan of Johor Cup final. The victory was particularly sweet for the Australians, who had remained undefeated throughout the tournament leading into the championship match.

The final proved to be a tense, closely contested affair from the opening whistle. Australia drew first blood in the 13th minute when Grobbelaar expertly converted a penalty corner to give his side an early advantage. However, India responded swiftly and decisively. Just four minutes later, in the 17th minute, Anmol Ekka stepped up to convert India's own penalty corner opportunity, leveling the score at 1-1.

The match remained deadlocked through the second and third quarters as both teams battled for supremacy. India, competing in their eighth Sultan of Johor Cup final in twelve tournament appearances, demonstrated the resilience and skill that has made them a powerhouse in junior hockey. The defensive units on both sides held firm, denying numerous attacking opportunities as the tension mounted.

The decisive moment arrived with just one minute remaining in regulation time. In the 59th minute, Australia was awarded another penalty corner, and once again Grobbelaar delivered under immense pressure. His powerful conversion found the back of the net, sending the Australian bench into jubilant celebration and putting India in a desperate position.

India launched a furious final assault in search of an equalizer. The team earned multiple penalty corners in the closing moments, creating several promising opportunities to level the score. However, the Australian defense stood resolute, and the opportunities went unconverted. When the final whistle blew, Australia had secured a memorable 2-1 victory.

The Sultan of Johor Cup, one of the premier tournaments for junior men's hockey, continues to showcase the future stars of the sport. India's journey to the final included a crucial 2-1 victory over Malaysia on October 17, with goals from Gurjot Singh and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha securing their place in the championship match.

While the silver medal represents a disappointing outcome for the talented Indian squad, their performance throughout the tournament demonstrates the continued strength of junior hockey development in the country. For Australia, the victory marks a significant achievement and suggests a bright future for their junior program as these young players progress through the ranks.