Indian junior hockey teams delivered a thrilling performance to secure a place in the semifinals of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2025. In the quarter finals, India showed great resilience and finished the match with a draw. India faced Belgium in a dramatic penalty shootout and got their victory. The match was played in Chennai, and the young brigade showcased intense skill and immense composure.
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India advances in Junior World Cup
Belgium started the match with strong composure, and in the 13th minute, Gaspard Cornez-Massant finished a well-constructed attack to give his team an early advantage. India spent the rest of the first half trying to settle into a rhythm and gradually increase pressure.
In the second half, India regained their possession and started to play their A game with renewed purpose and sharper execution. For India, captain Rohit stepped up in the 45th minute and converted a perfectly placed drag-flick from a penalty corner to bring India level at 1-1. This goal shifted the whole momentum of the squad, and just three minutes later, Sharda Nand Tiwari converted another penalty corner, which led India to increase its lead to 2-1.
Belgium came back shortly and with a perfect goal in the 59th minute of the game. Nathan Rogge scored the second goal as he hit the pass to the net and equalised the score. This goal dragged the match into the shootout.
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Princedeep Singh the hero as India wins shootout
The young brigade of India stood calm in the intense shootout; holding their nerve on such a big stage was important. The test of temperament went well when Sharda Nand Tiwari converted three crucial attempts to the goal. A big shout out to the goalkeeper, also, Princedeep Singh, took the guard strongly and produced some crucial saves. His decisive final stop sealed India’s 4-3 shootout victory, sparking celebrations on the field and in the stands. With this win, India extended their unbeaten run in the tournament and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face seven-time champions Germany. This performance against Belgium highlighted India’s resilience and mental strength.
India will need to raise its overall performance to overcome 7 time world champion Germany in the semifinals.
