India, Oct. 18 -- The Indian junior hockey team lost 1-2 to Australia in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor, Malaysia on Saturday.

India went behind in the 13th minute via a Ian Grobbelaar goal before Anmol Ekka (17th) equalised early in the second quarter. The contest remained evenly poised until the final moments when Grobbelaar (59th) converted a penalty corner (PC) to seal the title for Australia - their third, and first since 2017.

India began on a promising note, moving the ball around with short, crisp passes that gave them the bulk of possession in the early exchanges. Their first big chance came within the opening five minutes when a quick give-and-go between Araijeet Singh Hundal and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha set up Gu...