High-flying defending champions India would bank on their solid defensive structure and drag-flicking prowess to outsmart six-time title-wi...
High-flying defending champions India would bank on their solid defensive structure and drag-flicking prowess to outsmart six-time title-winners Germany in the semi-final of the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
After a disappointing start to the tournament when they were stunned 4-5 by France, India lifted their game by leaps and bounds to qualify for their second consecutive semi-final in the Junior World Cup.
India produced a defensive masterclass on Wednesday to eke out a narrow 1-0 win over European giants Belgium with the likes of Yashdeep Siwach, vice-captain Sanjay Kumar and Shardanand Tiwai shining bright in the backline.
India’s two goalkeepers – Prasanth Chauhan and Pawan, in particular, were terrific against Belgium and produced some breathtaking saves to deny their opponents.
With four quality penalty corner specialists – Sanjay, Tiwari, Araijeet Singh Hundal and Abhishek Lakra – in their ranks, India’s strength lies in set pieces and it has been quite evident in the tournament so far.
In fact, India’s winner against Belgium came from a penalty corner through Tiwari after he was brilliantly set up by a dummy from Sanjay.
Even though Sanjay didn’t score in the quarter-final, he still remains India’s best bet from set-pieces and has already registered back-to-back hat-tricks...
