The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team has shown resilience at the 4 Nations Tournament in Berlin, registering a victory against Australia after a tough opening match against Germany. This tournament is a crucial preparatory event for the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.
India started the tournament with a disappointing 1-7 loss to Germany. The German team dominated from the beginning, with Nico Kistein scoring from a penalty corner in the 4th minute, followed by Alec Von Schwerin's field goal in the 5th minute. Hasbach Ben further extended Germany's lead with a field goal in the 25th minute, ending the first half with a 3-0 advantage. Paul Babic added another goal in the 39th minute, making it 4-0. Despite the scoreline, India displayed some resilience in the fourth quarter, with Sourabh Anand Kushwaha scoring a field goal in the 50th minute. However, Germany quickly responded, with Hasbach Ben completing his hat-trick with goals in the 51st and 54th minutes, and Paul Babic scoring again in the 54th minute, sealing a 7-1 victory for the hosts.
Following the defeat against Germany, the Indian team was scheduled to face Australia on June 22nd. Details of the match result and the Indian team's performance are awaited. The team will then face Spain on June 24th in their final pool stage match. The top two teams from the pool stage will compete for the top spot, while the bottom two will play for third and fourth place on June 25th. All matches are being held at TC 1899 Blau Weiß, Berlin.
Ahead of the tournament, Captain Araijeet Singh Hundal emphasized the importance of the 4 Nations Tournament as preparation for the Junior World Cup. He noted that it provides an opportunity to assess strengths, try new combinations, and identify areas for improvement against some of the best hockey teams. Vice-captain Amir Ali added that the team aims to fill any gaps before the World Cup and that the tournament will serve as a testing ground for both the team and individual players to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
India has a strong history in the FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup, with two gold and one silver medal in 14 editions. The first medal was a silver in 1997, where they lost to Australia in the final. India won its first Junior World Cup in 2001. In the most recent editions of 2021 and 2023, India finished fourth. As the host nation for the upcoming World Cup, the Indian team is aiming to perform well and add to its legacy. The 4 Nations Tournament is a crucial step in their preparation, providing valuable experience and insights before the global event.
