India Beat Belgium In Thrilling Shoot-Out To Enter FIH Junior Hockey World Cup Semifinal

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 07:58 IST

After the teams were tied 2-2, shootout followed during which Prince Deep's extraordinary saves propelled India into the last four.

Indian players celebrate after beating Belgium. (PTI Photo)

Goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh channeled his inner ‘PR Sreejesh’ to pull off a couple of spectacular saves in a thrilling shootout as India narrowly defeated a spirited Belgium 4-3 to reach the semi-final of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup on Friday.

The teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time. In the shootout, Sharda Nand Tiwari converted three strokes while Prince Deep’s extraordinary saves propelled India into the last four.

Prince Deep’s final save, where he denied the rival player twice, the second time with a full-stretched dive, paved the way for a famous victory.

India will face defending champions Germany in the semi-final. Incidentally, the last time India won the junior global trophy was in Lucknow back in 2016.

During regulation time, India converted two penalty corners through skipper Rohit (45th minute) and Tiwari (48th), while Belgium netted two field goals through Gaspard Cornez-Massant (13th) and Nathan Rogge (59th).

In the shootout, Belgium’s goals were scored by Hugo Labouchere, Guerlain Hawaux, and Charles Langendries. Tiwari scored thrice from the spot following fouls, and Ankit Pal also found the net.

Prince Deep, who emerged as the star of the day with his brilliant saves, credited the coach and the vocal support from the Chennai crowd for the win. “I want to thank the crowd for its support. Whatever I have learnt is from our coach PR Sreejesh," said a beaming Prince Deep at the post-match presentation ceremony.

India started slowly, with Belgium having the first chance at goal in the first minute, but Prince Deep was alert, palming away Marin Van Heel’s high shot.

India gradually found their footing and created their first chance in the sixth minute. Manmeet Singh received a scoop from the left flank and directed a high shot towards the goal, which was saved by Belgium goalkeeper Alexis van Havere.

India secured their first penalty corner in the 10th minute, but Tiwari’s attempt was kept at bay by Van Havere. The match saw end-to-end hockey from both sides.

However, nerves seemed to get the better of India as sloppy defending allowed Cornez-Massant to give Belgium the lead with a powerful reverse shot in the 13th minute.

Trailing by a goal, the Indians were under pressure and struggled with penalty corner conversions, wasting another short corner in the 25th minute.

India found it difficult to control the game and went into the break trailing by a goal. The pressure showed as they committed errors, allowing Belgium to dictate terms even after the change of ends.

The hosts tried to mount attacks and penetrated the rival circle several times but lacked ideas inside the box. Another chance to draw level came in the form of their third penalty corner in the 39th minute, but skipper Rohit, the team’s star drag-flicker, continued to struggle throughout the tournament.

Rohit finally found the net 17 seconds before the third quarter ended, equalising with a powerful drag-flick. Belgium responded immediately, securing four back-to-back penalty corners, but Rohit, as the first rusher, and his defence, including goalie Prince Deep, stood firm to keep the opposition at bay.

Belgium continued to press, securing another penalty corner at the start of the fourth quarter, but India defended brilliantly. The equalising goal seemed to energise India, who attacked the Belgian defence with more purpose.

Their efforts paid off in the 48th minute when they secured their fifth penalty corner, and Tiwari scored with a powerful low flick to the right of the Belgian goalkeeper.

Just when it seemed India would secure a narrow win, Rogge scored a soft goal for Belgium, pushing the match into a shootout, where India ultimately triumphed.

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