Junior Hockey World Cup: India battle for bronze, lessons linger

CHENNAI: That India were outplayed — physically and mentally — by Germany in the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup semifinal on Sunday night is well established. At this stage, there are two ways for India to look at their situation: the shot at the trophy is gone but a bronze medal remains to be fought for against Argentina, or assess takeaways for the future.

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The core of this team has been together for almost two years, and several players have spent even longer playing alongside one another across junior and senior levels. Yet against Germany — seven-time champions who thrive on pace, precision, skill and mental strength — the climb was always going to be steep.




They had three league-phase outings against weaker teams to complete their dress rehearsal, but Belgium and Germany quickly exposed the Indian players’ inability to think on their feet.

Somewhere, the team seemed to forget that every sporting move is plotted as much in the mind as in its execution. The forwardline bossed over sides like Oman and Chile, but against higher-ranked opponents they allowed the game — and the terms — to be dictated to them.

Hardly tested in the initial phase, India’s fragile defensive wall was torn apart by Belgium and Germany. On Sunday, barely seconds after the opening whistle, Germany were in India’s striking circle looking for their first shot at goal. It should have served as a wake-up call. Instead, India appeared to be in a slumber.


Rather than matching Germany’s tempo on the counter, India spent time avoiding pressure in their own half. The second goal they conceded summed up the lack of intelligence and game awareness.

You expect better from a top-four side, particularly one guided by Olympic medallists — coaches light on experience in the dugout but heavy with playing pedigree. The team needed to draw on the deep well of big-match experience of chief coach PR Sreejesh and assistant coach Birendra Lakra. Either the players failed to do so, or the coaches failed to communicate effectively enough.

This should mark the beginning of a crucial learning curve — for players hoping to step up to the senior side and for coaches chasing higher ambitions.

Admitting to the mental fragility of his squad, Sreejesh said, “Mentality matters a lot in big games. When you commit silly mistakes, it puts you in a state of self-doubt. The pressure builds inside. This is a learning experience, and they will get better with it.”

With a bronze-medal playoff against Argentina on Thursday, Sreejesh urged the team to reset. “There is one match left, which can help you win at least one medal. That is really important, rather than crying about the semifinals. Going back empty-handed is more painful.”