Six-time champions Germany India’s run in FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2021 with a convincing 4-1 win in the semi-final. The defending champions conceded three goals in the second quarter and failed to make a comeback as they made a mess of chances to narrow down the lead. Sloppy defending cost India against the Germans who kept the hosts under pressure for a better part of the semi-final.
India conceded their first penalty corner in the fourth minute of the game but could not score. Philip Holzmueller missed the chance early in the first quarter as he failed to connect despite a wrong-footed Indian goalkeeper Prashant Chauhan. Germany earned their second penalty corner in the last minute of the first quarter but this time managed to convert as Erik Kleinlein provided the finishing touches after the fumble by goalkeeper.
Dreadful second quarter
In the second quarter, Germans went for an all out attack. In the 21st minute, Holzmueller made up for the missed chance and doubled his team’s lead. Just three minutes later Muller added to India’s misery and tripled the team’s lead.
Indian Colts showed first signs of naked aggression in the 25th minute as Uttam Singh managed to deflect one past the goalkeeper. Just seconds after India’s first goal, Germany earned a penalty stroke and found the back of the net again.
Goalless third quarter
India played better in the third quarter but missed a couple of chances to score. Manjeet’s was the easiest chance but unfortunately he could not connect. Third quarter was the only quarter of the game from which no goals were scored.
Consolation goal
German defense did not allow India to make a comeback in the fourth quarter and often threatened to extend the lead further. In the dying moments of the game Boby Dhami hit a scintillating strike to the far corner to narrow down the lead but it was too late for a comeback as India bowed out of the tournament.
Bronze medal match
India will now face France in the bronze medal match. France lost to Argentina in the semi-final earlier today. Vivek Sagar Prasad-led India lost their first match of the tournament to France by one goal despite Sanjay’s hat-trick.
