The quantity on his again mentioned every thing earlier than the shootout even started. No.16. The identical quantity worn by PR Sreejesh for greater than a decade as he grew to become one among India’s greatest-ever goalkeepers. On Friday night time in Chennai, younger Princedeep Singh honored that legacy and carved out his personal, producing a sensational efficiency that carried India into the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Males’s Junior World Cup.
India beat Belgium 2-2 (4-3 SO) in a dramatic quarterfinal, and the defining picture of the match was Princedeep standing tall within the shootout, pulling off gorgeous saves with the calmness, athleticism and timing that immediately evoked recollections of Sreejesh in his prime.
Awarded Participant of the Match, the teen admitted simply how a lot the No.16 inspiration means to him. “I’ve realized lots from Sreejesh and the arrogance is up watching him, studying from him,” he mentioned. “It was a sensational match and the gang assist in Chennai has been unbelievable.”
HUGE NIGHT FOR INDIA’S NEXT-GEN
Whereas the shootout grew to become his stage, Princedeep had already been distinctive in regulation time. Belgium, recognized for his or her structured assault, examined him repeatedly – particularly within the third quarter after they earned a string of penalty corners. Again and again, the 16 on India’s again stood agency.
Up entrance, India discovered their breakthrough late. Trailing 1-0 after Gaspard Cornez-Massant’s Thirteenth-minute area purpose, India saved their persistence till Captain Rohit dragged in a robust equalizer within the forty fifth minute to make it 1-1. Quickly after, Sharda Nand Tiwari fired in an excellent penalty nook within the forty eighth minute to place India forward 2-1. The celebrations contained in the packed Egmore stadium have been deafening.
However Belgium refused to go away, and Nathan Rogge’s 59th-minute equalizer dragged the competition right into a shootout.
SHOOTOUT MAGIC FROM NO.16
Beneath stress, Princedeep delivered. His saves saved India alive as Sharda Nand Tiwari coolly transformed 3 times within the shootout. Ankit Pal then slotted the decisive purpose to seal India’s 4-3 win.
For a lot of watching, it felt like a generational passing of the torch — Sreejesh, the mentor, watching his scholar in the identical jersey quantity, producing clutch saves when India wanted him most.
GERMANY UP NEXT
India now face an enormous semifinal problem in opposition to seven-time champions Germany on 7 December. However with Princedeep in Sreejesh’s No.16 and rising with each sport, India’s perception has by no means been increased.
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