BUKIT JALIL: Forward Araijeet Singh Hundal could be the key to India's hopes of winning the Junior World Cup (JWC) crown here.
The Punjab-born showed his strength by scoring a hat-trick in India's 4-2 win over South Korea in today's Group C match at National Hockey Stadium.
Two-time champions India went on the offensive from the start and took a 3-0 in the first 30 minutes of the match.
Araijeet, who will turn 20 next month, sounded the board off their first penalty corner in the 11th minute.
And five minutes later, he scored his second from close range before completing his hat-trick with a powerful reverse stick attempt in the 41st minute.
Amandeep (only one name) scored India's other goal in the 30th minute.
Korean responded through Lim Dohyun (38th minute) and Kim Minkwon (45th).
Araijeet, who did not play in the Sultan of Johor Cup last month, was named the man of the match for his splendid performance.
"This is the second time I have scored a hat-trick in the JWC. In the first JWC in Bhubaneswar, India in 2021, I scored three goals against Canada.
"I hope to sound the board again when we face Spain in our next match."
Araijeet, who scored five goals in the 2021 edition, added: "We have been preparing for the JWC for the last two years, and we want to give our best in the tournament."
Meanwhile, Spain outplayed Canada 7-0 in another Group C match.
Spain scored through Orriol Bozal (44th, 45th), Nicolas Alarez (second), Pol Cabre Verdiell (11th), captain Andreas Rafi (17th), Xavier Barutell (52nd) and Bruno Font (55th).
Spain coach Oriol Torras Puig said he never expected a big-margin victory.
"I am happy with my players' performance. The rain made our sticks wet and our shoes heavy, but we managed to adapt.
"We did well to convert three of our five penalty corners in the match. We will try to repeat this performance against India tomorrow."
In their last meeting, India triumphed over Spain 6-2 in a tournament in Germany in August.