Indian players celebrate their win over Belgium in the shootout.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
It It was a cliffhanger in every sense. The spectators were kept on the edge of their seats until the very last second, and India ultimately gave them plenty to cheer as the host edged out a resolute Belgium 4–3 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after the teams were tied 2–2 at the end of regulation time in the quarterinals of the FIH men’s junior World Cup here on Friday.
India will face Germany in the semifinals on Sunday while Spain will clash with Argentina.
For India, Rohit and Sharda Nand Tiwari scored in regulation time, both through penalty corners, while Belgium had gone ahead early through Gaspard Cornez-Massant, who unleashed a stunning reverse tomahawk after a slick exchange with Mathis Lawrence.
The visitor continued to look the sharper side in terms of circle entries and chance creations.
India’s moment of resurgence came early in the fourth quarter when Tiwari produced an immaculate penalty corner conversion to regain the lead at 2–1.
But Belgium refused to go away. With barely a fraction of a second remaining, Nathan Rogge got the faintest of touches to guide the ball into the post, dramatically forcing the shootout.
The hero of India’s triumph was goalkeeper Princedeep Singh, who produced crucial saves in the shootout.
With the scores level 3–3, Princedeep showed remarkable speed and composure to thwart Nicolas Bogaerts.
Earlier, seven-time champion Germany absorbed immense pressure in the third and fourth quarters to edge out France 3–1 in a nervy shootout.
The star of the clash between the European rivals was goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer, who was exceptional throughout: in open play, in tackling penalty corners, and during the crucial penalty shootout.
His brilliant save to deny Tom Gaillard saw the entire German squad erupt in celebration as they rushed to their 19-year-old custodian.
In another engrossing quarterfinal, Spain, the bronze medallist in 2023, defeated New Zealand 4-3 thanks to a last-gasp penalty corner conversion by Avila Bruno.
The results (quarterfinals): India 2 (Rohit 44-PC, Sharda Nand Tiwari 47-PC) drew with Belgium 2 (Gaspard Cornez-Massant 12, Nathan Rogge 59). India won 4-3 via shootout.
Spain 4 (Nicolas Mustros 1, Josep Martin 9, Albert Serrahima 12, Avila Bruno 59-PC) bt New Zealand 3 (Sam Lints 21 & 59, Ryan Parr 33-PC).
Germany 2 (Alec von Schwerin 29, Paul Gladner 35-PC) drew with France 2 (Malo Martinache 29-PC, Hugo Dolou 54). Germany won 3-1 via shootout.
Argentina 1 (Tomas Ruiz 51-PC) bt Netherlands 0.
Published – December 05, 2025 10:50 pm IST
