India stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIH Males’s Junior Hockey World Cup after a commanding 5-0 win over Switzerland, extending their unbeaten run within the competitors. The end result, powered by a brace from Manmeet Singh and two penalty-corner strikes from Sharda Nand Tiwari, ensured India topped Pool B with 9 factors from three matches. It additionally reaffirmed their attacking sharpness and defensive self-discipline as they marched into the knockout stage as group leaders.
Switzerland started with promise, incomes consecutive penalty corners within the opening minute, however India’s protection held agency to avert any early hazard. The hosts hit again instantly. In simply the second minute, Manmeet Singh opened the scoring after latching onto a exact move from Dilraj Singh – a purpose that set the tone for India’s dominance.
Manmeet, celebrating his birthday, doubled the lead within the eleventh minute with a neat deflection from an extended ball. Two minutes later, Sharda Nand Tiwari transformed India’s second penalty nook to make it 3-0. Whereas the forwards have been scientific, goalkeeper Prinde Deep Singh produced a number of vital saves to keep up India’s management.
India continued to create probabilities, incomes one other penalty nook within the twenty first minute, however Swiss goalkeeper Timo Graf denied Anmol Ekka’s excessive flick. Switzerland tried to tug themselves again into the competition with a penalty nook of their very own within the twenty third minute, solely to be thwarted once more by India’s organized defence.
Arshdeep Singh made it 4-0 within the twenty eighth minute with a crisp reverse slap shot. Rohit got here near including one other from a brief nook, however Graf’s fast reflexes stored the deficit from rising additional. India’s sustained stress ensured Switzerland had little room to launch significant counter-attacks.
The Swiss returned from halftime with renewed intent and carved out two alternatives, but Prinde Deep Singh stayed alert to protect the clear sheet. Their greatest likelihood got here late within the third quarter after they earned a penalty stroke, however Prinde Deep Singh produced a superb save together with his outstretched proper foot.
India pushed on within the remaining quarter, profitable one other penalty nook within the fiftieth minute, although Rohit was as soon as once more denied by Graf. Switzerland earned back-to-back penalty corners quickly after, however India’s disciplined defensive unit stood agency. Within the 54th minute, Sharda Nand Tiwari struck once more from a brief nook to finish India’s tally.
With this win, India secured the highest spot in Pool B with most factors. Seven-time champions and defending title holders Germany, together with India, Argentina, Spain, Netherlands, and France, progressed on to the quarterfinals as group winners. Six pool toppers from the 24 collaborating groups advance mechanically, joined by the 2 greatest second-placed sides.
In different outcomes, Spain hammered Namibia 13–0 to prime Pool D, whereas Belgium defeated Egypt 10–0 to qualify as probably the greatest second-placed groups. New Zealand additionally superior after ending runners-up in Pool C. The quarterfinal lineup now options Germany, India, Argentina, Spain, Netherlands, and France as pool winners, joined by Belgium and New Zealand.
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