The Indian junior men's hockey team concluded their campaign at the 4 Nations Tournament in Berlin with a 2-1 victory over Australia, securing third place. The match, played on Wednesday, saw a resilient Indian side come from behind to defeat the Australians.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams displaying strong defensive structures. Neither side was able to break the deadlock, resulting in a goalless first two quarters.
Australia took the lead in the third quarter when captain Toby Mallon scored a field goal in the 40th minute. However, India responded swiftly. Five minutes later, Rohit converted a penalty corner to level the score.
The final quarter saw India take the initiative. In the 52nd minute, Ajeet Yadav found the back of the net in open play, giving India the lead for the first time in the match. The Indian team then defended resolutely to maintain their lead and secure the victory.
India's journey in the 4 Nations Tournament was a mixed bag. They started with a heavy 7-1 loss to hosts Germany. However, they bounced back with a 3-1 win against Australia in their second match. In their final pool stage match, India suffered a 5-1 defeat against Spain. The top two teams from the pool stage progressed to the final, while the bottom two teams competed for third place.
Prior to the tournament, Captain Araijeet Singh Hundal emphasized its importance as preparation for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025. He highlighted the opportunity to assess the team's strengths, experiment with different combinations, and identify areas needing improvement. Vice-captain Amir Ali echoed these sentiments, stressing the need to address any existing gaps before the World Cup.
The FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025 is scheduled to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. The 4 Nations Tournament served as a crucial platform for the Indian squad to fine-tune their strategies and build team cohesion ahead of the global event. India has a strong legacy in the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup, with two gold and one silver medal in previous editions.
