By Asia Samachar | India |
India clinched the bronze medal at the Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 with a spirited 4–2 comeback win over Argentina in the third-place play-off in Chennai on Wednesday (Dec 10).
The result marked a return to the podium for India after finishing fourth in the previous two editions, in Bhubaneswar (2021) and Kuala Lumpur (2023).
In the final, Germany edged Spain in a tense penalty shootout to lift their eighth Junior World Cup crown. It was Germany’s 10th appearance in the title match, while Spain reached the final for the first time.
Argentina struck early through Nicolas Rodriguez in the third minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to put pressure on the home side. India held possession but struggled to convert chances, and the South Americans doubled their lead in the 44th minute when Santiago Fernandez finished off a swift counterattack.
What followed was one of India’s most dramatic turnarounds in recent junior World Cup history.
Ankit Pal ignited the revival with a close-range finish in the 49th minute. Three minutes later, Manmeet Singh drew India level, lifting the energy inside the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium as the hosts found renewed purpose. Drag-flicker Sharda Nand Tiwari, one of India’s standout performers in the tournament, fired home a penalty corner in the 57th minute to give India the lead. Within a minute, Anmol Ekka sealed the result with India’s fourth, completing a breathtaking nine-minute, four-goal surge.
The podium finish adds to India’s strong legacy in the competition, where they have previously won the title twice, in 2001 and 2016. This year’s edition was the first hosted by India since 2021, with Chennai earning praise for its upgraded facilities and enthusiastic crowds throughout the tournament.
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