In a heart-pounding quarterfinal clash at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team showcased resilience and skill to defeat Belgium 2-2 (4-3 in shootout) on December 5, 2025. The match, part of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, had fans on the edge of their seats as India overcame an early deficit and a late equalizer to secure a spot in the semifinals against defending champions Germany.
The atmosphere in Chennai was electric, with a near-capacity crowd cheering on the home team. This victory marks a significant step for India, who had cruised through the pool stages but faced their toughest test yet against the composed Belgian side, known as the Red Lions.
Match Breakdown: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
First Quarter: Belgium Takes the Lead
Belgium started aggressively, dominating possession and exposing gaps in India’s defense. In the 13th minute, Gaspard Cornez-Massant unleashed a powerful tomahawk shot from a tight angle after a quick restart, giving Belgium a 1-0 lead. India struggled to find rhythm, managing several circle entries but failing to convert their two penalty corners.
Second Quarter: Defensive Stalemate
The second quarter saw Belgium maintain their solid structure, double- and triple-marking key Indian players like Roshan Kujur. India pushed forward but couldn’t break through, ending the half trailing 0-1.
Third Quarter: India Fights Back
Momentum shifted as India earned back-to-back penalty corners. With just 17 seconds left in the quarter, Captain Rohit delivered a sensational dragflick into the top left corner, equalizing at 1-1. Belgium responded with four consecutive penalty corners, but India’s defense, led by goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh, held firm.
Fourth Quarter: Drama Unfolds
India took the lead in the 48th minute when Sharda Nand Tiwari smashed a powerful dragflick past the Belgian defense, making it 2-1. With four minutes remaining, Belgium’s coach substituted their goalkeeper for an extra fielder in a bold move. It paid off in the 59th minute when Nathan Rogge deflected a shot to tie the game at 2-2, forcing a shootout.
The Decisive Shootout: Heroes Emerge
The shootout was a test of nerves, with India emerging victorious 4-3. Sharda Nand Tiwari was instrumental, converting three penalty strokes, while Ankit Pal scored the decisive goal. Goalkeeper Princedeep Singh, named Player of the Match, made two crucial saves, drawing comparisons to his mentor PR Sreejesh.
Princedeep reflected post-match: “Have learnt a lot from Sreejesh and the confidence is up watching him, learning from him. It was a sensational match and the crowd support in Chennai has been incredible.”
Key Performers and Takeaways
- Princedeep Singh (India GK): Heroic saves in the shootout and throughout the match.
- Sharda Nand Tiwari (India): Scored in regulation and starred in the shootout.
- Rohit (India Captain): Clutch equalizer that sparked the comeback.
- Gaspard Cornez-Massant and Nathan Rogge (Belgium): Key scorers who kept their team in the fight.
This win highlights India’s ability to perform under pressure, blending defensive solidity with opportunistic attacking. As they prepare for the semifinal against seven-time champions Germany on December 7, 2025, the team will look to build on this momentum.
The FIH Men’s Junior World Cup continues to deliver thrilling hockey, and India’s journey is far from over. Stay tuned for more updates from Chennai!
