The fourth day of the FIH Hockey Men\u2019s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 saw hosts India confirming their place in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India topped their pool as did Germany, Argentina, Spain, Netherlands and France, to book their last eight berths together with the two best second-placed teams – New Zealand and Belgium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s facile 5-0 win over Switzerland ended the pool stage of the tournament as the hosts collected their third impressive win on the trot to top Pool B and qualified for the quarter-finals. It was the Swiss team\u2019s first defeat in the pool, leaving them in second spot with six points. Chile finished third with three points and Oman fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India began in a dominating fashion, racing to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter \u2013 thanks to Manmeet Singh\u2019s double strike in the 2nd<\/sup>and 11th<\/sup>minutes, while Sharda Nand Tiwari added to the home team\u2019s lead before the quarter break off a penalty corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two-time former champions largely missed finishing touches in the second quarter but managed to score in the 28th<\/sup>minute through Arshdeep Singh. Player-of-the-Match Tiwari completed his brace in the 54th<\/sup>minute with another penalty-corner conversion to cap the scoreline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHappy with the result, but there are a lot of areas to improve,\u201d said India\u2019s coach PR Sreejesh after the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Tournament starts from the next match (quarter-final) onwards. So it\u2019s important for us to focus on those areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spain vs Namibia (Full-Time Score: 13-0)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spain blanked Namibia 13-0 in Madurai to take their unbeaten run to three matches and secure a spot in the quarter-finals by virtue of assuring themselves a top-place finish in Pool D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result ended Namibia\u2019s thin quarter-final hopes. They finished third with three points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bruno Avila\u2019s hat-trick (four goals) led Spain\u2019s goal spree, whereas Andres Medina and Josep Martin added a brace each. Albert Serrahima, Nicolas Mustaros, Ton Moran, Aleix Bozal and Pere Amat completed the rout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think that this match was really, really important because it\u2019s going to matter for the quarterfinals (qualification). I think we played very well as we scored a lot of goals,\u201d said Spain captain Pablo Roman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had a lot of circle penetrations and I think that is an important thing as we enter the quarter-finals in the best way possible. Now we have to go to Chennai after a rest day and prepare for the quarters as best as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Egypt vs Belgium (Full-Time Score: 0-10)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium did the best they could, which was scoring big, and humbled Egypt 10-0 in the last match of Pool D. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, their six points from two wins in three matches were good only for a second place in the pool, while Spain secured the top spot for direct qualification. The result was enough to ensure Belgium qualify as one of the two best second-placed teams among the six groups. The defeat was Egypt\u2019s third in a row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Belgium\u2019s attacking prowess showcased not just in the 10 goals they scored, but also in the 19 penalty corners they earned. But they could convert only four of those, which would disappoint them. Lucas Balthazar scored off two of those penalty corners, while Benjamin Thiery and Hugo Labouchere converted one each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But leading the charts for Belgium was Maximilian Langer, who finished with a hat-trick. Jean Cloetens, Marin van Heel and Mathias Francois also got their names on the scoring sheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get an extra man in the attack for more goals while targeting a big margin of victory, Belgium came up with an adventurous move to play without a goalkeeper after the first quarter itself. But it didn\u2019t pay off in the manner they would have liked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe created a lot of chances and showed the perfect mentality to play this game. So, I am really proud of my guys. But I think we could have scored way more goals,\u201d Belgium captain Balthazar analysed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe last game against Spain didn\u2019t go as we wanted, but we bounced back today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chile vs Oman (Full-Time Score: 2-0)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The inconsequential rain-hit Pool B game at Chennai\u2019s Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium saw Chile restoring some pride as they ended their pool engagements on a winning note against Oman, who lost all three matches to finish last. Chile ended at the third position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both of Chile\u2019s goals came off penalty corners, with Felipe Duisberg striking first in the 10th<\/sup>minute. Oman did well to hold Chile\u2019s attack thereafter, as the game didn\u2019t see any goals until the final quarter when Tomas Taborga extended Chile\u2019s lead in the 47th<\/sup>minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was a tough match. The pitch had too much water (because of rain) and it was difficult to pass the ball. But I think we did a great job. We knew this match would be difficult due to weather conditions and we had trained accordingly, using high balls (aerials),\u201d said Chile captain Felipe Richard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Netherlands vs Austria (Full-Time Score: 11-0)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Netherlands helped themselves to a comprehensive 11-0 win over Austria in Madurai to round off their pool fixtures and bag direct qualification to the last-eight stage as Pool E toppers with nine points from three wins in three matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Austria, who failed to win even a single match, finished last in the pool and will now contest in the classification games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In-form Dutch skipper Casper van der Veen led the goal-fest with a hat-trick and Finn van Bijnen added two goals. The other six strikes came off the sticks of Casper Hafkamp, Joppe Wolbert, Thies Bakker, Jens de Vuijst, Pepijn van der Valk and Jan van\u2019t Land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are very happy as we won three times in the group stage. Now we have to step our level up a little bit more and see what we can do in the quarterfinals\u2026The focus is on performing well and playing better than the game before,\u201d Netherlands\u2019 captain Casper van der Veen shared his thoughts after the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France vs Bangladesh (Full-Time Score: 3-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n France, who had handed Australia an 8-3 drubbing, were given a stiff challenge by a spirited Bangladesh team before the last year\u2019s finalists managed to hang on to a 3-2 win to top Pool F with their third win and entered the quarter-finals. Bangladesh, with just one point from three matches, finished third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France were awarded a penalty stroke in the seventh minute, and Tom Gaillard beat the Bangladesh goalkeeper to give his team a 1-0 lead. Putting up tough resistance thereafter, Bangladesh found the equaliser in the 28th<\/sup>minute through Mohammad Abdullah to take the game to half-time tied at 1-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But France rediscovered their touch after the break, scoring through Gabin Lorrazuri in the 32nd<\/sup>minute and James Liddiard in the 38th<\/sup>to take a 3-1 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bangladesh\u2019s resilience paid off in the 55th<\/sup>minute, when they earned a penalty corner and their star drag-flicker Amirul Islam scored off it to cut the lead to 3-2. But the French defence held firm in the closing minutes to secure three points that took them to the quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n France\u2019s James Liddiard said: \u201cWe did very well on the pitch, so we are very happy. We are now focused on the quarterfinals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n England vs Malaysia (Full-Time Score: 3-1)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n England met Malaysia in a desperate battle for the second position in Pool E after the Netherlands had secured the top spot to enter the quarter-finals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n England went on to win in tough weather conditions but couldn\u2019t manage the big victory margin they needed. As per the tournament format, two best second-placed teams join the six pool toppers in the quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n England beat the Malaysian post early with a penalty corner converted by Henry Markham in the 4th minute. But the dogged Malaysians got their defensive structure together to restrict the English lead to 1-0 at half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Six minutes after the break, Michael Royden provided England the much-needed cushion to make it 2-0. England entered the last quarter unscathed, but Malaysia finally breached England\u2019s defence in the final quarter, when Azimuddin Kamaruddin scored off a penalty corner to make things tight at 2-1 with 13 minutes left on the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Alex Chihota\u2019s 57th-minute goal ensured that England ended on the right side of the result, winning 3-1. Malaysia finished third in the pool and Austria fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was not fun (playing in rain). When you passed the ball, it just dragged. But we worked through it and got the three points. So, it was good,\u201d said England\u2019s Royden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Korea vs Australia (Full-Time Score: 1-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With unbeaten France sealing the top spot in Pool F, Australia had to beat Korea to keep their quarter-final hopes alive, which they eventually did with a 3-1 win. However, the scoreline couldn\u2019t take their goal difference (-1) into the positive, which was critical to the quarter-final hopes of second-placed teams in each pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia had their hopes hanging by a thread as the game stood 1-1 at half-time, courtesy Australia\u2019s Duncan Jackson scoring in the 17th<\/sup>minute, and Seunghan Son equalising for Korea with a penalty corner in the 22nd<\/sup>minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A goal each in the third and fourth quarters through Ian Grobbelaar (35th<\/sup>) and Daykin Stanger (53rd<\/sup>) helped Australia secure the much-needed victory to end with six points from two wins in three matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australia captain Toby Mallon sounded disappointed analysing Australia\u2019s pool-stage performance: \u201c(After) Losing that second game to France, we knew it was going to be tough to make it to the quarterfinals. But to bounce back in this last game and take the win in these tough (weather) conditions, it\u2019s really good. I think (we need to improve) our final pass, final shot at goal. We have had a lot of chances and a lot of circle entries, so we just need to finish it off.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quarter-finals line-up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spain vs New Zealand<\/p>\n\n\n\n France vs Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n Netherlands vs Argentina<\/p>\n\n\n\n India vs Belgium<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The fourth day of the FIH Hockey Men\u2019s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 saw hosts India confirming<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[60],"class_list":["post-6716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsbeat","tag-hockey"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed.jpg",1000,563,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed.jpg",640,360,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed.jpg",1000,563,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed.jpg",1000,563,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed-825x563.jpg",825,563,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"Newsbeat<\/a>","tag_info":"Newsbeat","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/India-hockey_compressed.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6716"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6720,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6716\/revisions\/6720"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}