Junior Hockey World Cup 2025: India Eye Improvement As They Face Germany In Semifinal

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 15:05 IST

India's defence was hardly tested in the pool stages, but against Belgium got a taste of what is awaiting for them in the knockout stages.

India beat Belgium in a thrilling shoot-out. (PTI Photo)

The Indian men’s hockey team is aiming to reclaim the crown after nine years, but they will need to significantly elevate their game to overcome seven-time champions and current title holders Germany in the semifinal of the FIH Junior World Cup this Sunday.

India, who have won the title twice, last clinched it in 2016 in Lucknow.

The Indian team enjoyed a relatively easy pool phase, scoring 29 goals and conceding none against weaker opponents like Chile, Oman, and Switzerland to smoothly advance to the quarterfinals.

However, the real challenge emerged in the quarterfinals against Belgium. India had to dig deep to secure a 4-3 shoot-out victory after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.

Goalkeeper Princedeep Singh’s exceptional performance was crucial in keeping India’s hopes alive. He not only made outstanding saves during the 60 minutes but also executed two brilliant saves during the shoot-out.

India’s defence faced little challenge in the pool stages, but the quarterfinal against Belgium gave them a preview of the tougher competition ahead in the knockout stages.

Despite the victory, coach PR Sreejesh expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance against Belgium and stressed the importance of staying grounded.

“I sweetly made them understand that it was not the final. To keep your feet on the ground is most important and we need to focus on the next match," Sreejesh said post the Belgium match.

Sreejesh highlighted the areas requiring improvement if India aims to reclaim the title.

“…we expect the same (performance) from Germany too in the next match. So we have to raise our level according to the occasion. What we need to do is score and that’s the most important thing," he stated.

“Another important thing is to focus on the mistakes you have committed. What is easy is to keep in your mind what good things you have done in the match but what is important is to learn from the mistakes we have committed inside opponent’s D and how to get more outcome."

The Indian forwards, who excelled in the pool stages against weaker opponents, struggled against Belgium despite creating multiple scoring opportunities.

On Sunday, players like Manmeet Singh, Dilraj Singh, Ajeet Yadav, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, and Arshdeep Singh must perform impeccably against the formidable Germans known for their ruthless gameplay.

“We need to get that final touch. Once you are inside the D you can’t give away ball possession," Sreejesh remarked.

The Indian defence also needs to improve, as it was guilty of losing possession and conceding soft goals.

“It is a team game, the defence too needs to up their game and not concede soft penalty corners or give away possession. In hockey the first line of play starts from the defence," emphasised the Indian coach.

Handling pressure is another challenge for the inexperienced Indian squad, especially in front of a large home crowd.

“There is pressure which comes with quarterfinals, and more pressure with semifinal and final. From the quarterfinal stage we can’t take any team easily," Sreejesh noted.

One positive aspect for the coach is penalty corner conversions, with India’s two goals in regulation time against Belgium coming from set pieces converted by Sharda Nand Tiwari and skipper Rohit Yadav.

The team will expect greater precision from the duo in the crucial stages of the tournament.

Besides Princedeep, Tiwari was another standout performer against Belgium, scoring a goal in regulation time and converting three penalty spot goals in the shoot-out.

Germany, the team to beat in this tournament, has demonstrated their quality with their record.

However, the Germans also faced a tough challenge, overcoming a resilient France 3-1 in a shoot-out after the match ended 2-2.

Similar to India, German goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer was the hero for his team in the quarterfinal against France, making remarkable saves throughout the 60 minutes and maintaining his form in the shoot-out.

In the other semifinal, Spain will compete against Argentina.

News sports hockey Junior Hockey World Cup 2025: India Eye Improvement As They Face Germany In Semifinal

Read More