Chennai, Dec 10 ( LatestNewsX ) – The Indian junior men’s hockey squad etched a new milestone by clinching their first-ever bronze medal at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai. The hosts staged a dramatic 4‑2 victory over Argentina, netting four goals in just eleven minutes to finish third in the tournament.
India’s scorers were Ankit Pal (49’), Manmeet Singh (52’), Shardanand Tiwari (57’), and Anmol Ekka (58’). The Argentine side had taken the early lead with Nicolas Rodriguez (3’) and Santiago Fernandez (44’).
This bronze is India’s first medal of its kind after winning gold in 2001 and 2016 and a silver in 1997. Their last miss for a podium finish came in 2005 when Spain edged them out in a penalty‑stroke shoot‑out for third place.
The match opened with India pressing from the start, intent on breaking the Argentine defense. However, the visitors darted to the front early on when Nicolas Rodriguez converted a penalty stroke after just three minutes. India responded strongly after losing the lead, with a near miss in the final moments of the first quarter that left them short of an equalizer.
In the second quarter, India found their rhythm, creating several chances and mounting pressure on the Argentine backline, which remained compact for most of the period. Dilraj Singh had a shot on target, and the hosts generated a handful of half‑chances through eight‑circle penetrations, dominating possession as they sought the equalizer. Argentina, however, held firm and secured a 1‑0 advantage before halftime.
India surged into the third quarter, securing a few penalty corners early and keeping up relentless pressure on the Argentine defense, which sat deeper. Despite moments of Argentine counterattacks, Princedeep Singh delivered a spectacular double save to keep India within reach. Argentina added to the lead when Santiago Fernandez slotted his 44th‑minute effort down the back of the net.
With the game still in hands, India pushed forward and earned a penalty corner around ten minutes from the end. Anmol Ekka’s precise drag‑flick brought Ankit Pal to the fore, deflecting the ball past the Argentine keeper and narrowing the gap. The momentum swing continued when another penalty corner two minutes later saw Manmeet Singh finish a setup from Ekka, levelising the scoreline.
Shortly after, India was awarded a penalty stroke, and Shardanand Tiwari calmly converted it to put India ahead with under three minutes remaining. Argentina, seeking a third goal, opted to play without a goalkeeper, and their counter‑attack threat from a penalty corner was thwarted by the resolute Indian defense.
Finally, Anmol Ekka, who had previously assisted, switched from creator to scorer, turning a penalty corner to extend India’s lead at 58′. Those four accelerated goals in eleven minutes sealed a sensational comeback, granting India the bronze medal at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025.
In celebration, Hockey India announced payments of INR 5 lakh to each player and INR 2.5 lakh to the support staff.
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