FIH Junior World Cup: India overcome fighting Switzerland with all-round efficiency to enter quarterfinals

Manmeet Singh and Sharda Nand Tiwari score a brace each as hosts set up clash with Belgium

India defeated Switzerland in the FIH Junior World Cup. (X/Hockey India)

Switzerland’s Dutch coach Jair Levie perhaps knew what the outcome of the match would be, even though his side came into the game on the back of two wins and with an outside chance of making it to the last eight of the FIH Junior World Cup.

But, after the 0-5 defeat against PR Sreejesh-coached India, he had a wry smile on his face. He was proud of the fight his side gave India at the Madurai International Hockey stadium – conceding just two goals in the last three quarters. But in the final analysis, two moments of sheer quality in the first quarter showcased the difference between two sides: Manmeet Singh’s first-time swept finish and Arshdeep Singh’s back-handed flick while facing away from the goal. Two finishes that India’s senior coach Craig Fulton – who repeatedly advocates instinctive, quick thinking forward play – would have appreciated.

India’s defence was given an early test as the Swiss celebrated earning a penalty corner as if they had scored a goal. But India’s defence stood strong.

And just like that, India opened their account with Dilraj Singh setting up Manmeet through a scramble for the No.8 to score from close range.

Manmeet would soon double his and India’s tally on the night, with an exquisite first-time finish. A drilled low pass into the circle from Priyobarta Talem was hit with pace, Manmeet – with his back to goal – swept the ball behind him, past Swiss goalkeeper Timo Graf, who barely had time to react.

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The third goal would have perhaps pleased Sreejesh the most. Penalty corner conversion has been an area of concern, not just at this tournament but since the end of the Sultan of Johor Cup. Even in the first half against Oman, in a match where they scored 17 goals, it was a struggle to get past the first rusher (partly due to the heavy pitch in Chennai that night). But Sharda Nand Tiwari stepped up and nailed a high drag- flick down the middle for a direct conversion. But for two sensational saves from Graf, Anmol Ekka and captain Rohit too could have been on the scoresheet in the first half.

Goal-scoring instinct

Arshdeep Singh did make it 4-0 before the half-time interval, another finish that needed strong wrist-work when his momentum was going the other way, with the awareness of where the goal was without actually looking.

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The third quarter was goalless but not without incident, and it was Princedeep Singh who made several crucial saves to keep India’s clean sheet intact. The young No.16, who took up goalkeeping after being inspired by the previous person to don that jersey number in the senior team – coach Sreejesh – made a couple of reflex saves, then charged forward to take the ball off a forward’s stick. He saved the best for last by diving to his right and saving a penalty stroke just when the Swiss contingent was getting ready to celebrate.

In the fourth quarter too, it was the Swiss who had the early chances with a couple of penalty corners but Bikramjit Singh and Co held strong.

India would eventually get their fifth – Sharda’s second – with a low angular flick that beat Graf for sheer pace, making it two direct conversions from set-pieces on the night. Sharda was denied a hat-trick when second goalkeeper Lionel Krneta pushed a powerful strike onto the crossbar.

The win put India on top of the standings across all groups, and pitted them against Belgium, who just sneaked into the last eight as one of the two best second-placed teams.

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“Happy with the result, but there are a lot of areas to improve. From the next match onwards, the real tournament is starting,” Sreejesh said. “For the number of times we enter the circle, we just need to convert them into either penalty corners or a shot on goal. Secondly, the errors that we are making in defence which are helping the opposition get some penalty corners, or a penalty stroke, as was the case today. Prince did a wonderful job for us to keep that ‘0’ in place.”