Hockey Junior World Cup: Familiar follies, another fourth-place heartbreak as India lose bronze medal match against Spain | Hockey News
As the final hooter went after 1-3 defeat to Spain, the goalkeeper Mohith HS stood on one knee staring into the dance, quite possibly wondering what more he could have done. The rest of the Indian team looked shellshocked as Spain celebrated only their second bronze in the tournament. For the two-time champions though, the wait to return to the podium continued.
After the semifinal defeat for India at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup against Germany, the conclusion was clear. There was deep disappointment for captain Uttam Singh and coach CR Kumar that they missed out on reaching the final, despite creating a bucketload of opportunities to score. On Saturday, it would turn out to be a familiar tale once again in the bronze medal match as India went down 1-3 against Spain in Kuala Lumpur to finish fourth for the second straight edition in this tournament.
Nicolas Alvarez (25’, 51’) and Pau Petchame (40’) were on the scoresheet for Spain while India’s solitary goal came from Sunil Jojo (28’) when India had equalised in the second quarter.
It is time to celebrate for Spain as they win the Bronze medal at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023, Malaysia. #Risingstars@rfe_hockey pic.twitter.com/hmkkGD9w5M
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 16, 2023
After losing against Germany in the semifinal and France in the bronze medal match in 2021 at home, it was Germany and Spain this time around as the podium eluded the Indian U-21 side once again. The last medal for India at this level remains the gold in 2016.
The stunning quarterfinals comeback against Netherlands – where India came back from 0-2 down to win 4-3 – was perhaps the sole bright spot in the campaign, as India lost their matches against Spain (twice) and Germany, largely due to their own profligacy.
That India had to compete in Malaysia without their main drag flicker in Shardanand Tiwari didn’t help. After going 0/12 from penalty corners in the semifinal, India were 1/9 in the bronze medal match. They tried the variations, they switched between the likes of Rohit, Araijeet Singh Hundal and Amandeep Lakra, but couldn’t make much headway. The solitary goal did come from a PC when Sunil Jojo was alert to a rebound from a save, but it wasn’t enough. However, there was sharp goalkeeping and one effort from a PC rattled against the post too, and India did come closer on Saturday than they did against Germany.
🇮🇳#India end the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023 in 4th place, missing out on bronze!
📲 The final is coming up next! Download the https://t.co/71D0pOq2OG app to stream the game LIVE!#RisingStars@thehockeyindia pic.twitter.com/ZvT4Sos2Eq
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 16, 2023
That would be scant consolation, especially for goalkeeper Mohith HS who had a sensational game between the posts. He repeatedly kept the Spanish attacks at bay from penalty corners and at one point in the third quarter, made a stunning double save to keep the score at 1-1.
India started as the better side in terms of going forward in what was a rather cagey opening quarter. The match had started an hour late due to inclement weather in Kuala Lumpur, and both teams seemed cautious in building attacking moves. Uttam created the first major opening when he raced down the right flank and cut the ball back to Sudeep Chirmako who couldn’t sort his feet out.
After a goal-less opening quarter, Spain took the lead through a long ball from the right flank that Alvarez controlled well at the top of the circle, and dribbled forward to unleash a powerful shot across goal. India’s equaliser came quickly enough through Jojo and the teams went into halftime level.
The third quarter was perhaps India’s worst of the night as Spain not only took the lead but constantly had the defence under pressure. India didn’t create much of note until the final seconds. The final quarter saw Spain control the ball well, and while India had a few glimpses at goal, there wasn’t anything clear-cut. The game was put to bed effectively with nine minutes to go when Alvarez turned home after Pol Cabre Verdiell produced a stunning moment of individual brilliance down the left flank. And India were left staring at another postmortem, though they would already know the reasons.
