A very pleasant incident took place at hockey event Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia. After weeks of conflicts and arguments among cricket teams, junior hockey players gave us a great example of good behavior. 

What Happened at the Hockey Match?

The under-21 hockey teams clashed on Tuesday at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru. Just after both national anthems had been played, something magnificent occurred. Players from both sides began to high-five each other. They had a short conversation and displayed true gentleness before the start of the match. 

When the match finished with a score of 3-3, both teams once again shook hands. This was absolutely opposite to what happened a few weeks ago when cricket teams did not shake hands at all and very rudely turned their backs to each other ​

The Cricket Trouble That Started It All

Allow us to remind you of the time before this incident. During the Asia Cup tournament in UAE, cricket teams from the two nations were so unfriendly that they completely avoided shaking hands. They met three times during that tournament, and not even once did the players greet each other properly.

Here are some key moments from the Asia Cup situation:

• The cricket team refused all friendly gestures after national songs
• They would not accept their trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi
• The team captain dedicated their victory to families affected by the Pahalgam attack
• Women cricket teams also followed the same approach during their World Cup match in Sri Lanka

The cricket situation got worse when the team refused to take their trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is both the PCB chief and Pakistan’s interior minister. Officials made it clear they could not accept anything from someone they viewed as working against their country.​

Why Hockey Was Different

People wondered if hockey would follow the same path. The Pakistan Hockey Federation actually told their players to be ready for possible snubs. They asked their team to stay calm and just focus on playing well.​

But something better happened instead. The junior players chose a different path. They showed that young athletes can rise above tensions and just play the game they love.​

The Match Itself Was Exciting

The actual game was pretty amazing to watch. Here’s what went down:

• Pakistan took an early lead and went up 2-0
• The team from the subcontinent fought back hard in the third period
• Araijeet Singh Hundal scored first to make it 2-1
• Sourabh Anand Kushwaha tied things up at 2-2
• Manmeet Singh then put his side ahead 3-2

Pakistan refused to give up though. Sufyan Khan scored late to make the final score 3-3. Both sides played their hearts out and showed everyone why hockey is such a great game to watch on platforms like Kheloexch.​

What People Are Saying

The match’s videos and photos spread across all social media platforms. While some people appreciated the players’ mutual respect, others were quite the opposite. However, most of the spectators’ opinions were in unison that it was a nice scene of young athletes acting like professionals.​

The junior hockey players pretty much conveyed that the match was of higher significance than any issues outside of it. They were ice hockey players, and that was all they had come for.​

Viewing the Wider Perspective

This entire scenario displays an aspect of great importance. The political crises will not necessarily dictate the manners of players towards each other. The junior hockey players’ actions can be viewed as a demonstration of respect amid the adult’s disputes.​

Kheloexch fans who were following live the match have had the privilege of witnessing not only the top-notch hockey but also the wonderful side of human character. The 3-3 score was so thrilling that it kept the audience in suspense until the very last moment.

What Comes Next

It is yet unclear whether cricket teams will alter their tactics in the near future. Captain of the India cricket team, Suryakumar Yadav when asked about the upcoming matches stated quite succinctly that they would rather deal with it at the appropriate time. He pointed out that they only face each other in multi-nation tournaments anyway.​

However, the hockey match at Sultan of Johor Cup gave us another picture. It proved that youngsters can independently choose their path as far as sportsmanship is concerned. They are not compelled to emulate other events’ behavior. ​

Final Thoughts

The Sultan of Johor Cup hockey match will go down in history for more than just the 3-3 tie. It will be remembered as the day when junior athletes taught everyone that respect and rivalry can co-exist. When cricket teams were making headlines for staying apart, hockey players were making headlines for being in each other’s company. 

For the people who were following the event, it was a reminder that the real essence of competition does not lie in being resentful. Rather, it is in playing hard, being respectful to your opponent, and letting your skills do the talking.