India’s wait to reach the finals of the Junior Hockey World Cup was extended on Sunday, December 7, when they were beaten 1-5 by defending champions Germany in the semi-finals. India failed to capitalize on the momentum gained from their thrilling quarter-final win against Belgium as the German side blew them away in the first half of the game. The last time India played in the final was in 2016 when they emerged as champions in Lucknow.
A brace from Lukas Kossel and goals from Tito Wex, Jonas van Gersum and Ben Hasbach were enough to see the German side into the final, relegating India to the play-offs 3-4. place for the third time in a row. It was the defending champions who started the game brightly as the hero against Belgium, Prince Deep, was called into action early on.
It remained cagey until the game sprang to life in the 14th minute. An unwanted intervention by the Indian defense took a penalty corner, which quickly became a free kick after the ball stopped in front of the goal. Kossel stepped up and slotted it past Prince Deep with precision. However, the Indian team completely unraveled just before the first quarter break as a drive down the right side and the ensuing shot to the D went off an Indian leg and into the net off Wex’s shot.
India began to push during the second half to find a way back into the match but could not break down the disciplined defense of the German side. They were given a mountain to climb just before half-time when Kossel set it up from PC to make it 3-0.
India started the third quarter brilliantly and finally managed to make the German keeper do some work with a fine save. The visitors were constantly under pressure, but all their hard work was wasted in the 40th minute when Van Gersum made it 4-0.
India left themselves vulnerable at the back as they chased the game, allowing Germany to find their fifth goal as Hasbach completed a superb team goal. Playing with nothing but pride, India took a couple of penalty corners before Anmol Ekka pulled one back for the home side.
But it was all a little too late as Germany now face Spain in the final on December 10. India will face Argentina in the 3rd-4th play-off on the same day.
– The end
Published on:
December 7, 2025
