Jr Hockey World Cup: India To Face Germany In Semi-Final

The platform is set for FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2021 semi-final encounter where defending and two-time champions India Juniors go against Germany on Friday, December 3. The sizzling fixture will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar at 7:30 pm IST.

The Indian team held their guard whole to overcome a challenging Belgium 1-0, in a recreation of the previous edition’s final for a place in the end four on Wednesday. The host and defending champion after a disturbing start on France in their opening match, defeated Canada 13-1, then beat Poland 8-2 in a must-win clash, before enduring an extraordinary quarter-final against Belgium. They will apparently face the greatest hurdle of the competition when they take on Germany on Friday evening.

On the other hand, Germany Juniors were fairly impressive in their quarter-final clash, they scrape out a close 3-1 win over Spain. Both teams were secured at 2-2 in organization time, with the champions choosing on penalties. They were victorious in the group stage matches, gaining points in all their Pool D matches against Pakistan (5-2), Argentina (3-2) and Egypt (11-0).

The defending champions displayed one of the competition favourites Belgium the entrance and will require to do that again on Friday to keep India’s expectations of a triumphant title stand alive. The support this time will be a lot towering, for a victory against the six-time champions and most victorious team Germany in the semifinals will put title-holders India a move away from a second back-to-back title. In the other semifinal, wonder team of France will face Argentina.