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 on the edge of the D, a strong shoulder push from an Indian defender awarded Argentina a penalty stroke. Rodríguez converted with a flick to the right corner, beating custodian Princedeep Singh and giving his team a 1–0 lead. India nearly created a chance in the final minute of the quarter but couldn’t convert, and Argentina went in ahead at the break.
The second quarter began with acceleration from Bruno Correa, but India showed better defensive control and pushed into the opposition half. Dilraj attempted to score in the 21st minute but was denied by Joaquín Ruiz. India continued to press through the left channel and kept possession. The hosts went goalless in the quarter but showed more steel in defence, creating chances that didn’t materialise. The first half ended with the same scoreline, but India had gained some confidence.
After half time, the Indian colts pressed harder, penetrating the circle and earning a penalty corner in the opening minute of the third quarter as Dilraj found the foot of the Argentine captain. Rohit flicked from the PC, but first rusher Tomás Ruiz blocked it. India earned successive penalty corners, but Argentina’s defence stood firm and the hosts failed to break through, wasting four PCs in less than a minute.
Argentina pushed forward afterwards, penetrating India’s circle and creating a few PC chances. India’s defence showed grit, but with less than two minutes left in the quarter, Fernandez received a pass near the corner of the D, spun brilliantly, and beat the Indian custodian to slot home Argentina’s second.
In the third quarter, Ankit Pal cut through with Arshdeep inside the D, and the Argentine defender’s intervention earned India a PC. Capitalising on it, Ankit deflected with an exquisite finish, bringing the Chennai crowd to life and opening India’s account. Moments later, India earned another PC and Anmol flicked from the second battery, which Manmeet deflected into the goal, bringing India level. With seven minutes left, Princedeep showed his class by stopping Bruno Correa and followed it up with another crucial save.
With four minutes remaining, Dilraj was brought down by Ruiz inside the circle, earning India a penalty stroke, which Shardanand converted to give India a 3–2 lead, and delighting the crowd. In the dying moments, Argentina removed their goalkeeper, and India earned another PC with less than two minutes to go. From Arshdeep’s injection, Anmol struck cleanly to extend India’s lead to 4–2 and seal a first-ever bronze at the Junior Hockey World Cup.
“For three quarters it looked tough, but in the fourth quarter a different team walked on to the pitch,” said PR Sreejesh, India’s coach after the game. “Most teams break when they go 1-0 or 2-0 down, but these boys believe in themselves. They didn’t panic, they waited, they created chances and converted them. That trust mad the difference.”
