India’s hopes of lifting the FIH Hockey World Cup for Junior Men on home soil for a second time ended on December 6, after a decisive 1-5 loss to defending champions Germany in Chennai. With the defeat, India will compete against Argentina for the bronze medal.

India last claimed the junior world title in Lucknow in 2016. Since then, the trophy has remained out of reach, despite the country hosting the tournament in 2013, 2016, 2021, and now in 2025.

Germany, chasing what would be its eighth Junior World Cup crown, will face Spain in the final. Spain secured its place with a 2-1 victory over Argentina in the second semifinal.

The semifinal clash showcased Germany’s dominance across all phases of the game. Renowned for its tactical discipline, the German side kept India under sustained pressure from the outset, building a commanding 3-0 advantage by halftime.

Anmol Ekka (51′) scored India’s lone goal, while Germany’s goals came from Lukas Kossel (14′, 30′), Titus Wex (15′), Jonas von Gersum (40′), and Ben Hasbach (49′).

Germany opened the match with an aggressive high press that forced India deep into its defensive half. India managed to absorb the early pressure but struggled to create meaningful scoring opportunities. In the third minute, goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh made a crucial save after Justus Warweg intercepted possession in a dangerous position.

Germany broke through in the 14th minute when a shot by Quirin Nahr struck defender Ankit Pal’s body, earning a penalty stroke that Lukas Kossel converted. Just a minute later, Titus Wex’s pass inside the circle took an unlucky deflection off Sunil Palakshappa Bennur’s foot and rolled into the goal, ending the first quarter at 2-0.

India regrouped in the second quarter, improving ball possession and midfield control while generating more circle entries. However, they were unable to test goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer. Moments before halftime, Germany earned its second penalty corner, which Kossel (30′) dispatched into the bottom left corner for a 3-0 lead.

India’s best early chance came in the 34th minute when Ajeet Yadav dribbled past two defenders and unleashed a strong shot, only to be denied by Ditzer. Germany soon earned another penalty corner, but captain Paul Glander’s attempt went wide. In the 40th minute, Arshdeep Singh skillfully carried the ball along the baseline but was stopped by Ditzer.

Seconds later, Germany extended its lead. Jannik Enaux pierced through the midfield and released a pass to Alec von Schwerin, who chipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Jonas von Gersum (40′) finished the move by tapping the ball into an open net.

Four minutes into the final quarter, Germany added its fifth goal when a long aerial pass found Ben Hasbach (49′), who maneuvered past Prince Deep Singh to score.

India responded by converting its first penalty corner of the match. Captain Rohit delivered a clever pass to Anmol Ekka (51′), who struck powerfully to put India on the scoreboard. Despite pushing forward in the closing minutes, India was unable to find another goal as Germany tightened its defensive structure.

India will take on Argentina in the third-place playoff on December 10.

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