Junior Hockey World Cup LIVE - India beat Belgium 1-0 to move into Semifinals - Updates, Results, Scores, Blog
Follow LIVE updates from India's quarterfinal clash against Belgium in the Men's Junior World Cup 2021.
India face Belgium in Junior World Cup quarterfinals - Live Updates
Welcome to The Bridge's LIVE blog from India's quarterfinal clash against Belgium as the Men's Junior Hockey World Cup 2021 moves to the knockout phase in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha on Wednesday. India went into the first half with a 1-0 lead, courtesy a Sharda Nand Tiwari strike in the 2nd Quarter. That goal proved to be the solitary goal in the match and the difference between the sides.
India made a comeback with consecutive victories against Canada and Poland to roar back from a defeat in the opening match of the group stages against France. One of the pre-tournament favourites, India faced their toughest test yet when they took on one of their old rivals, Belgium. They will face Germany in the semifinals, while Argentina will face France in the other semifinal.
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Shardanand Tiwari's goal the difference between India and Belgium today. Pawan's saves in the 4th Quarter and Sanjay turning provider today the two other heroes of the day. Vishnukant, another bright spark today, gets the Player of the Match award.
Seconds left now...Belgium lose the ball in their own half with 15 seconds left. Surely that is it. Sanjay palys a long aerial ball forward. And...that is it! India win 1-0. They will face Germany in the semifinals.
Belgium pull out their keeper with 3 minutes left in the match. They are looking to overload the Indian half now! Sunil makes a block and plays the ball out of danger. Belgium come again. And earn a PC. 2 minutes left. Pawan takes off his face-guard for one last breath before the PC... Another great save from him! Sanjay with a vital touch to clear it away. India breathe...2 minutes left.
What a save from Pawan! He is again needed to come to the rescue as Belgium attack from the Penalty corner. But India clear after Pawan saves. India playing with a man less, have 5 minutes to see off. Belgium increase the frequency of their aerial balls.
Uttam Singh drives forward for India in the 4th quarter as India look in control. Now Belgium with a great attack - their best and cleanest shot on goal for the whole match - and Pawan makes a leaping save! India breathe a sigh of relief. Less than 10 minutes now remain. India look to sit back. Belgium look for the one ball forward that could split them apart. A loose piece of defence from India, Siwach gets a yellow card, and Belgium have a PC with 8 minutes left.
A sizzling attack from the Indians - Uttam Singh with a whirlwind turn at the centre of it - which is blocked by the Belgians as the third quarter comes to an end. 15 minutes now all that stands between India and a place in the semi.
Big chances at either end as the game becomes end-to-end as the third quarter draws to a close. Surely, there is one last gear both teams have in store left for the last 15 minutes. Still, India in line to face Germany in the semi.
Important to note Sanjay's contribution to that first goal. He might be the first option for the drag flick from the PC, but he knew that is exactly what the Belgian defence would have expected and he sold the dummy and let Sharda take the shot instead. That took the goalkeeper by surprise.
In this 3rd Quarter too, India with the lion's share of possession, as the game becomes a tad more physical.
There's dancing in the stands at half-time. Coach Graham Reid tells the cameras at half-time that his team might have made a slow start to the game but have come back strongly into the match, giving plenty of reasons for all the celebrations in the stands at half-time. How will the 2nd half go? Going by the earlier quarterfinals, we could be set for some late...late drama.