Gold Coast (Australia), Dec 4 (IANS): The Indian junior men's hockey team began their five-match Test series in Australia on a high, thumping New Zealand 5-1 Thursday.
India took the lead in the 7th minute through Mandeep Singh and doubled the lead three minutes later, after Varun Kumar converted a penalty corner.
India were on a role after going 2-0 up and stretched their lead again after capitalising on another penalty corner. This time Harmanpreet Singh scored from the spot in the 16th minute.
New Zealand pulled one-back in the 25th minute through a field goal. India maintained the 3-1 lead till the end of the third quarter.
India upped the ante in the last quarter and were rewarded with the fourth goal.
Forward Parvinder Singh scored a delightful solo goal in the 50th minute and Sumit Toppo completed the scoreline four minutes later with yet another penalty corner conversion.