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NEW DELHI: India produced a brave performance, overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Argentina 4-2 and clinch the bronze medal in the FIH Men's Junior World Cup on Wednesday.
India, who previously won the title in 2016 in Lucknow, had missed out on the podium in the last two editions, finishing fourth in 2021 in Bhubaneswar and again in Kuala Lumpur two years later.
Penalty corner power
India mounted a valiant fightback with Ankit Pal (49th minute), Manmeet Singh (52nd), and Anmol Ekka (58th) converting penalty corners, while Sharda Nand Tiwari struck from a penalty stroke in the 57th minute.
Argentina start strong
Argentina were the better side for much of the first half, opening the scoring through Nicolas Rodriguez (3rd minute) and Santiago Fernandez (44th). The Argentines controlled possession early on as India struggled to establish a foothold.
Argentina earned their first chance in the third minute with a penalty stroke following a foul by Anmol Ekka, and Rodriguez made no mistake to hand his side an early lead.
India were guilty of giving away possession too easily in the opening 15 minutes, limiting their attacking opportunities. Their best chance came in the 20th minute when Dilraj Singh’s effort from the top of the circle was superbly saved by Argentina goalkeeper Joaquin Ruiz.
Indians rally after change of ends
India started brightly after the change of ends, securing four consecutive penalty corners in the 31st minute but failing to convert any, with Anmol Ekka flicking the final attempt over the post.
Argentina continued to pressure the Indian defence, earning a penalty corner in the 37th minute, but Princedeep Singh made a brilliant double save to keep India in the game. Two more short corners for Argentina in the 40th minute were also well defended. Rodriguez’s fourth penalty corner attempt in the 41st minute went off target.
Final quarter turnaround
The Indians kept their composure and maintained pressure in the final quarter, drawing level by converting two penalty corners in just four minutes.
Ankit Pal reduced the deficit in the 49th minute, deflecting Anmol Ekka’s flick from India’s fifth penalty corner. Manmeet Singh then equalised for India four minutes later, again from an Ekka flick on India’s sixth penalty corner.
With momentum firmly on their side, India kept pressing, and Tiwari scored from a penalty stroke three minutes from the final hooter. Ekka sealed the victory a minute later, converting a perfectly executed penalty corner.
(With PTI Inputs)
