Hockey Junior World Cup: India's final pursuit ends, go down to defending champions Germany 1-5 in semifinal clash

The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team suffered a painful 1-5 loss against the defending champions, Germany, in the Semifinal of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 in Chennai. Germany's goals came from Lukas Kossel (14, 30), Titus Wex (15), Jonas von Gersum (40), and Ben Hasbach (49), while Anmol Ekka (51) netted the solitary goal for India late in the game.

India's heartbreaking defeat against Germany in Junior Hockey World Cup

Germany began the first quarter with an aggressive press, effectively forcing the Indian team to play defensively in their own half. While India initially managed to sustain the pressure and build from the back, they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Despite a crucial early save by Indian goalkeeper Princedeep Singh from a dangerous Justus Warweg interception in the third minute, the German breakthrough came in the 14th minute. Quirin Nahr’s shot led to a penalty corner and subsequently a penalty stroke, which Lukas Kossel successfully converted (14). Just a minute later, India conceded an unfortunate second goal when Titus Wex's (15') pass deflected unluckily off Sunil Palakshappa Bennur's foot and rolled into the goal, ending the first quarter at 2-0.

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India managed to regroup effectively in the second quarter, demonstrating improved overall gameplay. They maintained better possession, exerted more control over the midfield, and managed crucial circle entries; however, they failed to truly test the German goalkeeper. Just before the halftime whistle, Germany won their second penalty corner of the evening. Lukas Kossel capitalized on the opportunity once more, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner (30) to further extend Germany’s advantage heading into the break.

India's attempts and German counter

India produced their first clear attempt on goal in the 34th minute when Ajeet Yadav skillfully beat two German defenders and unleashed a powerful shot, which was saved by goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer. Germany responded by winning another penalty corner two minutes later, but Captain Paul Glander's flick went off-target. In the 40th minute, India's Arshdeep Singh executed a strong dribble on the left flank but was thwarted by the charging German goalkeeper. Seconds later, Germany decisively broke through the Indian defense: Jannik Enaux's dribble and pass found Alec von Schwerin, who chipped the ball toward the goal, allowing Jonas von Gersum (40) to tap it into the open net for Germany's fourth goal.

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Four minutes into the final quarter, Germany effectively used the long pass, playing an aerial ball over the Indian defense to Ben Hasbach (49), who expertly dribbled around Princedeep Singh to score. However, India finally broke their duck moments later. Winning their first penalty corner, Captain Rohit executed a clever pass after the injection to Anmol Ekka (51), catching the German defense off guard. Ekka took a powerful shot and successfully found the back of the net for India's solitary goal. Germany then retreated into a deep defensive structure for the remainder of the game, successfully stifling India's efforts to find another breakthrough. With the semifinal loss confirmed, India’s next fixture will be the 3rd/4th Place match. They are now set to face Argentina in the battle for the Bronze Medal on December 10.