Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Dec 10: The Indian junior men’s hockey team created history on Wednesday by winning their first-ever bronze medal at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, defeating Argentina 4–2 in a thrilling comeback at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. In a breathtaking display, the hosts struck four times in just eleven minutes to secure a memorable third-place finish.
India’s goals came through Ankit Pal (49’), Manmeet Singh (52’), Shardanand Tiwari (57’), and Anmol Ekka (58’), overturning early strikes from Argentina’s Nicolas Rodriguez (3’) and Santiago Fernandez (44’). With this victory, India added a bronze to their impressive Junior World Cup record, which already includes two gold medals (2001, 2016) and a silver (1997). Their previous attempt at bronze in 2005 ended in heartbreak with a penalty-stroke loss to Spain.
India began aggressively, pushing hard against Argentina’s defence, but the visitors capitalised on a penalty stroke early on through Rodriguez. Despite dominating possession and creating solid chances—especially late in the first quarter—India couldn’t find the equaliser before halftime, with Argentina maintaining a 1–0 edge.
The hosts returned strong in the second and third quarters, earning penalty corners and repeatedly testing the Argentine backline. Princedeep Singh produced a brilliant double save to keep India afloat, but Argentina doubled their lead late in the third quarter when Fernandez fired home.
With time running out, India launched a fierce final-quarter assault. A well-executed Penalty Corner routine saw Ekka set up Ankit Pal for India’s first goal. Just two minutes later, Manmeet Singh found the net off another identical setup to level the match. India’s relentless pressure earned them a penalty stroke, calmly converted by Shardanand Tiwari to give the hosts the lead in the 57th minute. Argentina, desperate to respond, pulled their goalkeeper but failed to break India’s defence.
India sealed the win moments later when Ekka—after two assists—scored from a Penalty Corner to complete the stunning turnaround. The electrifying four-goal burst sent the home crowd into a frenzy as India secured their first-ever Junior World Cup bronze.
Celebrating the milestone achievement, Hockey India announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for each player and Rs 2.5 lakh for the support staff.