India’s Junior Men’s Hockey Team Stages Remarkable Comeback To Beat Netherlands 4-3

Kuala Lumpur

In a breathtaking quarterfinal clash at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup, the Indian junior men's hockey team showcased exceptional grit and character to secure a 4-3 victory over the Netherlands. Despite trailing 0-2 at halftime and 2-3 in the third quarter, India's resilience shone through, propelling them to the Semi-Finals where they are set to face Germany on December 14. The Netherlands took an early lead in the first quarter with a penalty corner conversion by Timo Boers (5′). The Indian defense held strong, but Pepijn van der Heijden (16′) extended the Dutch lead to 2-0 with another penalty corner conversion by halftime. India mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, with Aditya Lalage (34′) scoring a goal assisted by Araijeet Singh Hundal. Two minutes later, Araijeet leveled the score with a penalty stroke. Despite the pressure, the Dutch managed another penalty corner, converted by Olivier Hortensius (44′), giving them a narrow lead at the end of the third quarter. In the final ten minutes, India intensified their game, and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha (52′) netted a crucial goal off a rebound, bringing the score to 3-3. Seizing another penalty corner opportunity, captain Uttam Singh (57′) scored with three minutes left, securing India's lead. The victory was anchored by India's strong defensive performance, notably by Rohit, who thwarted six successive penalty corners in the final quarter. His stellar efforts earned him the player of the match award, highlighting India's ability to withstand pressure and emerge triumphant.