Chennai: The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team proved their mettle by defeating Belgium 2-2 (4-3 on penalties) in a thrilling quarterfinal at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu. Princedeep Singh emerged as the standout player, making crucial saves during the shootout that drew comparisons to his coach, the celebrated PR Sreejesh.
Awarded Player of the Match, Princedeep excelled throughout the game, notably during the third quarter when Belgium pressured with several penalty corners. “I’ve learned so much from Sreejesh. The crowd in Chennai was fantastic,” he said after the match.
In the shootout, Sharda Nand Tiwari also made his mark, scoring three times and keeping India’s hopes alive until Ankit Pal sealed the win with the final goal.
The match started with Belgium taking an early lead at the 13-minute mark thanks to Gaspard Cornez-Massant. India remained calm and found their rhythm, leveling the score in the 45th minute with a brilliant dragflick from captain Rohit. They gained the lead shortly after with Tiwari’s penalty corner, only for Belgium to tie it up again late in the game.
It’s remarkable how the current tournament reflects India’s hockey resurgence when compared to past struggles. Historically, India’s junior teams have faced tough competitions, but this year’s squad shows resilience and skill that echoes past glories.
Recent trends on social media reveal just how much support the team has garnered, with fans celebrating every goal and save. A recent tweet from Hockey India captured the excitement, highlighting moments from the match that thrilled spectators.
With this victory, India is set to face seven-time champions Germany in the semifinals. As the team gears up, experts suggest maintaining their focus and harnessing the home crowd’s energy to fuel their ambitions for a title.
The ongoing tournament has already seen a surge in viewership, with a reported 30% increase in online streaming compared to previous years, indicating growing interest in the sport.
India’s hockey legacy is complex, but this young team’s performance is a promising sign. For both fans and players, the journey is just beginning.
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