Junior Hockey World Cup 2025: Stunning Comeback as India Beat Argentina To Clinch Bronze

 

The Indian men’s junior hockey team produced a stunning comeback win over Argentina in bronze medal match played at Major Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai on 10^th December 2025.

It was a perfect start for Argentina with Anmol Ekka made a heavy challenge which was initially penalty corner and changed to stroke. Rodrigues Nicolas converted stroke into a goal in the 3^rd minute giving Argentina 1-0 lead. Indian captain Rohit Ekka went off the field due to powerful shot by Argentina player. There was an aggressive move by Indian forward which was well defended by Tomas Ruiz. At the end of the first quarter, Argentina led 1-0.

India made change in the goalkeeper with Bikramjit Singh coming in place of Princedeep Singh. India kept the pressure but the Argentina defense made solid moves and did not allow any chances. Argentina goalkeeper Ruiz Joaquin made a superb save to deny India equalizer. At the end of the first half, Argentina still led 1-0.

The third quarter began with India earning four back-to-back penalty corners which resulted in no goals as Anmol Ekka shot went wide. India made good moves but Argentina defense remained solid. Argentina put pressure with some lovely moves but Princedeep Singh made lovely moves. Gurjot Singh was awarded a green card meaning two-minute suspension. Argentina took advantage of consistent pressure as Santiago Fernandez scored lovely goal from pass in the 44^th minute to double the lead for Argentina.

Indian team began the fourth quarter on a good note as Ankit Pal scored from the penalty corner in 49^th minute to make it 1-2. It was another piece of brilliant play by India as they earned another penalty corner. Manmeet Singh scored from deflection in the 52^nd minute to level the scores at 2-2.

Indian goalkeeper Princedeep Singh made a lovely save to deny Argentina the lead. It was another piece of brilliant play by Arshdeep Singh with a penalty stroke. Sharad Nand Tiwari scored from penalty stroke in the 57^th minute to give India 3-2 lead.

Argentina earned a penalty corner which was intercepted by cleanly and the rebound shot was well saved by Princedeep Singh. Argentina decided to remove goalkeeper and India made a counter-attack move to earn a penalty corner.

Anmol Ekka converted the penalty corner into a goal in the 58^th minute to double India’ lead at 4-2. It was an amazing performance by India as they cameback from 0-2 deficit and won it with 4-2 scoreline.

It was close fight with 19 circle penetrations by Argentina as compared to 18 by India. India converted 3 out of 7 penalty corners while Argentina did not convert anything from 5 PCs.

India had 51 percent possession as compared to 49 percent possession. Argentina had 7 shots on target while 6 by India. This is India’s first medal at the Junior Hockey World Cup after a gap of 9 years.

Indian men's junior hockey team beat Argentina by 4-2 to win bronze medal.