Junior Hockey World Cup: India beats Argentina 4-2 to finish third
India secured the bronze medal at the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 by orchestrating a sensational come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Argentina at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Trailing 0-2 deep into the third quarter, the host concluded its campaign with a blistering final-quarter surge, netting two quick goals from Penalty Corners (PC) before Sharda Nand Tiwari converted a penalty stroke (PS) with less than three minutes on the clock, sealing a memorable win. Anmol Ekka then converted another one from a PC.
India’s poor start continued, conceding a goal just two minutes into the match. Anmol’s tracking run on Lautaro Martinez ended abruptly when he shoulder-charged the Argentine attacker inside the ‘D’ without playing the ball, resulting in an immediate penalty stroke. Nicolas Rodriguez calmly outsmarted Indian keeper Prince Deep Singh from the spot, giving the Little Lions the early advantage.
The Indian midfield struggled throughout the first half, failing to establish authority or retain possession effectively. The team’s defensive structure was further rattled when captain Rohit was forced off the field after being struck by a powerful shot. Just before halftime, Dilraj Singh managed India’s first real attempt on goal, but the team struggled to create any clear-cut chances, entering the break 0-1 down.
The host nation began the second half with renewed intensity, earning its first PC after Dilraj found an Argentine foot. Despite a succession of four short corners, the Argentine defence held firm.
Argentina soon turned defence into attack. India survived a scare thanks to postman Thounaojam Luwang clearing a goal-bound attempt with his stick. However, with just over a minute left in the third quarter, Argentina doubled its lead. Federico Hanselmann’s beautifully disguised pass from the baseline bamboozled two Indian defenders, allowing Santiago Fernandez to unleash a powerful reverse stroke on the half-turn past the onrushing Prince Deep, making it a daunting 0-2.
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The crucial final quarter saw a dramatic shift in momentum. India finally broke through in the 48th minute when Ankit Pal cleverly deflected Anmol’s drag-flick past Argentine custodian Joaquin S. Ruiz. With the crowd roaring and confidence surging, India pressed forward.
Arshdeep swiftly earned India’s sixth PC. Once again, Anmol, positioned in the second battery, drilled a powerful, grounded flick that was skillfully redirected by Manmeet Singh into the top corner, levelling the score at 2-2.
The decisive moment arrived with just over three minutes remaining when Arshdeep was pushed inside the ‘D’, resulting in a penalty stroke. Sharda Nand stepped up and made no mistake, firing the ball into the net to give India its first lead of the match, 3-2.
Moments later, Anmol, who was instrumental in setting up the previous two goals, converted a final powerful drag-flick to make it 4-2, securing the bronze medal in a spectacular finish for the host nation.
Belgium prevails
Earlier in the classification matches, Belgium got the better of the Netherlands in shootout to secure fifth place.
After an enthralling 3-3 stalemate, the Young Red Lions edged past the Dutch 4-3 in the shootout.
France finished its campaign in seventh place following a 4-1 thrashing of New Zealand.
Published on Dec 10, 2025