India’s Junior Hockey Team survived one of the most dramatic finishes in recent history, defeating Belgium 4–3 in a nail-biting shootout after a tense 2–2 draw in regulation time. The match, a cocktail of chaos, courage, and composure, saw Sharda Nand Tiwari unleash ice-cold conversions while goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh delivered decisive, heroic saves to push India into the semi-finals of the Junior World Cup.
For long stretches, Belgium dictated the rhythm of play with suffocating structure and tactical discipline. Their defensive grip forced India into rushed, frantic attacking bursts that produced flair but no finish. True to their reputation, Belgium struck first through Gaspard’s reverse hit in the 13th minute—an unexpected punch that exposed India’s momentary lapse and gave the visitors a 1–0 lead at the first break.
India struggled through the second quarter, losing shape and energy as Belgium clogged spaces and cut channels with robotic precision. But the turning point came in the 3rd quarter. Under pressure and searching for control, India finally cracked open Belgium’s fortress when captain Uttam Singh’s penalty-corner flick soared over the goalkeeper, igniting the crowd and restoring belief at 1–1.
Belgium mounted relentless attacks in the final seconds of the quarter, earning four penalty corners, but India held firm. In the 4th, India struck again — Tiwari’s low, powerful drag-flick beat Alexis Van Havere to make it 2–1. For the first time, India looked in command.
But hockey punishes complacency. Belgium removed their goalkeeper in the dying minutes and with under 60 seconds remaining, Nathan Rogge found a deflection through a chaotic circle to level the game 2–2 and force a shootout.
What followed was pure theatre.
Belgium kept converting. India earned strokes on every attempt — and Tiwari buried all three under crushing pressure. At 3–3, Prince rescued India with a brilliant save off Rogge, then produced a sensational double-save against Nicolas Bogaerts. With the semifinal on the line, Ankit Pal stepped up and scored the winner. Belgium reviewed in desperation. The decision stood. India erupted.
Coach P. Sreejesh now has one night to reset the squad before a monumental challenge: 7-time champions Germany await in the semi-final.
Conversation
Be kind and stay on topic. Comments are moderated; abuse, spam and personal attacks are removed. Report a problem