The roar that erupted at Chennai's Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Friday night was one of pure, unadulterated relief. The Indian junior men's hockey team had just secured a nerve-shredding 4-3 victory in a penalty shootout against a formidable Belgium side, booking their place in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup.
A Goalkeeper's Heroics Under Pressure
The architect of this dramatic win was undoubtedly goalkeeper Princedeep Singh. With India trailing in the shootout, he stood tall to pull off two monumental, match-defining saves against Belgian attackers Nathan Rogge and Nicolas Bogaerts. His composure under extreme pressure shifted the momentum decisively in India's favor, turning potential heartbreak into triumphant hope.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions in Regulation Time
The path to the shootout was itself a thriller. Belgium, who have never beaten India on Indian soil in this tournament, played a masterclass in structured, total hockey. They took the lead in the 13th minute through a brilliantly worked team move, finished with a stunning reverse flick that momentarily silenced the home crowd.
India struggled for fluency in the first half, showing hustle but lacking a cutting edge. The breakthrough came with just 17 seconds left in the third quarter. Captain Rohit stepped up to unleash a powerful drag-flick that rocketed into the net, equalizing and reigniting the stadium's energy.
India then took the lead in the 48th minute through a thunderous drag-flick from Tiwari, sending the fans into a frenzy. However, with just over a minute left in regulation time and their goalkeeper pulled off, Belgium's desperate gamble paid off. Nathan Rogge capitalized on a momentary Indian lapse to score, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing the contest into a shootout.
Surviving the Belgian Onslaught
The final moments of normal time were a testament to India's resilience. Immediately after Rohit's equalizer, Belgium won four consecutive penalty corners in the last second of the third quarter. A combination of Princedeep Singh and his defenders somehow managed to keep the ball out, showcasing incredible last-ditch defending.
Led by their indefatigable captain Lucas Balthazar, the Belgian team pressed relentlessly, their defense moving as one cohesive unit. Yet, when it mattered most, the Indian team held its nerve.
Semifinal Berth Sealed Against Germany
The victory sets up a mouthwatering semifinal clash for India against the defending champions, Germany. The win continues India's stronghold over Belgium in this competition on home turf and keeps the dream of a Junior World Cup title alive. The team and its supporters can now exhale, but only briefly, as an even bigger challenge awaits.
