India lost 5-1 to defending champions Germany in the semi-finals of the Men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Anmol Ekka (51′) scored for the Indian hockey team while Lukas Kossel (14′, 30′), Titus Wex (15′), Jonas von Gersum (40′) and Ben Hasbach (49′) were the goal-scorers for Germany.
Germany started the first quarter aggressively, forcing India to play in their own half. India sustained the initial pressure but could not create a clear opportunity on goal.
In the third minute, Germany were through on goal as Justus Warweg made a strong interception in a dangerous area. However, Indian goalkeeper Princedeep Singh did well to step out and make an incredible save.
In the 14th minute, Germany won the first penalty corner as Quirin Nahr took a shot which was stopped by Ankit Pal’s body right in front of the goal and the visitors were awarded a penalty stroke.
The stroke was successfully converted by Lukas Kossel as Germany gained the lead.
Just a minute later, India conceded another goal as Titus Wex’s pass inside the circle met a deflection off Sunil Palakshappa Bennur’s foot as the ball rolled into the goal to end the first quarter.
India improved their overall hockey in the second quarter. They held more possession of the ball, controlled the midfield a lot better and made some crucial circle entries. However, India could not test the German goalkeeper.
Right before the half-time, Germany won their second penalty corner of the evening, which was successfully converted by Lukas Kossel again as he slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to further add to Germany’s advantage.
India’s first good attempt on goal came in the 34th minute as Ajeet Yadav did well to beat two German defenders with his skill and took a powerful shot towards goal but goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer made a strong save to deny India a goal.
Two minutes later, Germany won another penalty corner but this time, captain Paul Glander’s flick was off target.
In the 40th minute, Indian attacker Arshdeep Singh made a strong dribble on the left flank and made his way along the baseline but could not get past the charging German goalkeeper.
Seconds later, Jannik Enaux dribbled down the middle and passed it ahead to Alec von Schwerin through the Indian defence as he chipped the ball past the goalkeeper towards goal for Jonas von Gersum to tap into the open net and claim Germany’s fourth goal.
Four minutes into the fourth quarter, Germany played a long aerial pass over the Indian defence to Ben Hasbach as he dribbled around Princedeep Singh and scored.
Moments later, India won their first penalty corner and successfully converted it to score their only goal of the game.
After the injection, captain Rohit played a smart pass to Anmol Ekka, catching the German players off guard as he took a powerful shot and found the net.
Germany fell back onto their defence for the remainder of the game as India did their best to find one more, but could not make a breakthrough again.
Next up, India will face Argentina in the bronze medal match on Wednesday.
India have won the Junior Hockey World Cup twice, with their last triumph coming in 2016, when the tournament was held at home in Lucknow.