Author: Abhishek Mishra

The FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 in Chennai will be etched in the memory of Indian hockey fans for the team’s spirited comeback in the last quarter. Trailing Argentina 0-2 until the 48th minute, India pumped in four goals in 12 minutes to snatch the bronze medal. At the heart of that comeback was a dramatic penalty-stroke conversion by Shardanand Tiwari. The defender and penalty-corner specialist from Lucknow, who started from humble beginnings, emerged as a key performer in the knockouts. He not only helped India secure a podium finish, but also delivered when the team looked up to…

Germany added another feather to their cap. They won an eighth junior hockey World Cup and showed why the German machine is unstoppable. At Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium after a tight 1-1 finish in regulation time, German goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer put up a brilliant show. His heroics helped his team prevail 3-2 over Spain in the tie-breaker. It was a match worthy of a final in the true sense. It was Spain’s first-ever final appearance in this competition and they gave their opponents a run for their money. Not as big or muscular as the Germans, the Spaniards demonstrated skilful…

At the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, in a thrilling atmosphere, the Indian colts found redemption by winning the bronze medal playoff 4–2. After trailing 0–2 until the 48th minute, a late comeback helped them seal a spirited victory. For India, Ankit Pal (48’), Manmeet Singh (51’), Shardanand Tiwari (56’) and Anmol Ekka (57’) scored, while for Argentina, Nicolás Rodriguez (2’) and Santiago Fernandez (43’) found the net. The proceedings began with uncharacteristic defensive lapses. Argentina pressed heavily inside India’s half and soon capitalised, finding an early goal within the first three minutes of play. Rodriguez dribbled through India’s circle, and…

Reeling from a tough 1-5 semi-final loss against defending champions Germany, hosts India will now play for pride in the men’s Junior Hockey World Cup bronze-medal match against two-time champions Argentina. Incidentally, Argentina went down to Spain in a thriller. For India, the key to redemption will be to quickly shake off the mental toll of the semi-final defeat. The hosts wouldn’t want to disappoint the home crowd and as they eye a podium finish, on Wednesday, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai. “Going home empty handed is more painful than this disappointment,” a hopeful PR Sreejesh said…

In the semi-final clash against the hosts, with 12 minutes left in the game, Ben Hasbach retrieved a high aerial pass just outside India’s 23-metre line and accelerated into open space, using his dribbling skill to beat goalkeeper Bikramjit Singh on the right edge of the D and net an exquisite diving goal to give Germany a 5–0 lead. The in-form German produced pure artistry – arguably one of the best goals of the tournament – brilliantly supported by his midfield, with all Indian defenders blocked near the centre line. This moment exemplified how the German boys have not only…

Defending champions Germany hammered India 5-1 in the semi-final of the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup. Coach PR Sreejesh had stressed on improving finishing touches and committing fewer defensive lapses, but his boys missed the plot and made a lot of mistakes. The inability of the forward line to penetrate and find the right answers in the midfield made India look clueless. There was no proper marking, which led to the crushing defeat. This was India’s third semi-final defeat in a row against the same side at the Junior Men’s World Cup. From the German side, Lukas Kossel (13, 29),…

The FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Chennai has been building towards its final stage. In that context, for a spot in the summit clash, India and 7-time junior World Champions, Germany, are set to face each other in potentially an electric encounter. After passing through a tough Belgian challenge, now it’s a test against Germany’s tactical rigid structure. On Sunday, in Chennai’s Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, the hosts will be eyeing a summit clash after nine long years. The last time they made it was in Lucknow, where India lifted their second title. The host team so…

India secured a dramatic victory in the shootout against Belgium and qualified to the men’s Junior Hockey World Cup semi-finals, but for coach PR Sreejesh this is not a celebratory moment. Despite the thrill of the win in the quarter-final, his immediate reaction was a huddle as he was seen with the players on the big screen delivering a clear message to his wards. “This was not the final. Keep your feet on the ground,” said the legendary goalkeeper, now a coach. His focus is on the two critical areas that could cost them the semi-final against Germany, first scoring…

In South Africa, young people taking up two or more sports is a long-standing tradition. Some turn that into a passion and try to shape their destinies by pursuing whichever sport offers a more stable professional career. Jaydon Brooker’s journey is one such example. Brooker, just 20, a Jeppe High School student from Johannesburg, has been passionate about both cricket and hockey for years. At the ongoing Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, Brooker has been a hero for South Africa so far – six goals in the tournament, showcasing his drag-flicking ability and leading the scoring charts for his nation.…

India exhibited a repeat of their performance from the last home Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar, beating Belgium in the quarter-finals and marching into the semi-finals. Skipper Rohit Ekka (44’) opened the scoring followed by Shardanand Tiwari (47’). For Belgium Cornez Gasperd (12’) and Nathan Rogge (59’) found the net. After a tight 2-2 finish, India shone in the shootout, winning 4-3 with impressive contributions from Shardanand, Prince Deep Singh and Ankita Pal. The humid Friday in Chennai was at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in little breezy condition and egged on by enthusiastic school kids in the stands, the India…