Hockey Junior World Cup: Stern test awaits Uttam Singh and Co as they take on Germany in the semifinal

After a thrilling win against Netherlands, India face Germany on Thursday in a repeat of the 2021 Junior World Cup semifinal

When they face Germany on Thursday in a repeat of the 2021 Junior World Cup semifinal – which the European side won – India will hope their strikers fire. (X/SAI media)

Uttam Singh couldn’t mask his glee even though close to 48 hours had passed since he scored a goal from the unlikeliest of penalty corner variations.

“We had worked on them in practice,” the India junior captain said, talking about his late winner against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the Junior World Cup. “There were two minutes left in the match and it was the right time to use it. Coach signalled us to go for it and we executed just as per our training.”

Uttam stresses on the execution bit. And coach CR Kumar, seated next to him on the eve of the semifinal against Germany, nods in agreement. For Uttam and Kumar the only real difference between the win against the Netherlands on Tuesday and the defeat in the group stage to Spain, who will play France in the other semifinal, was the conversion rate.

Rising to the challenge against the odds 💪

The grit, determination and spirit of the Indian Team marks thrilling comeback against the Netherlands.#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #RisingStars #JWCMalaysia2023 pic.twitter.com/eLrZp2OSPv

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2023

It’s been a bane of Indian hockey for long, something which even the senior team is guilty of – creating numerous chances but often lacking the composure in the final third.

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When they face Germany on Thursday in a repeat of the 2021 Junior World Cup semifinal – which the European side won – India will hope their strikers fire.

German hockey has been on a high in recent years, reaching the JWC final two years ago followed by the senior title earlier this year. In their recent encounters against India, Germany have held an edge and defeated the 2016 Junior World Champions in their most recent meeting, at the Sultan of Johor Cup.

The defeat might play on the minds of the young players but Kumar played down the result.

“Most of our strikers who are here did not play that tournament. We rested them, they were training in Bangalore,” Kumar said. “We have analysed all the teams in the World Cup, Germany included, and the added learning from the previous matches against them will put us in a good position ahead of the game. The players know that Germany isn’t unbeatable, it’s a matter of executing the plan.”

A well-planned Penalty Corner variation that took India through to the semis! #Risingstars

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— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 13, 2023

Uttam, along with four of his teammates in Kuala Lumpur, is playing in his second Junior World Cup. Thursday provides the quintet an opportunity to redeem themselves after falling short two years ago.

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“At the 2021 JWC, I was only a player, not the captain and we lost in the semifinals. But the dream of playing and winning the final is always there and now that we have got another chance, we don’t want to waste the opportunity,” Uttam said. “Many play in a World Cup but only a few win the title. We already have our names as World Cuppers. Now it’s time to write our names among World Cup champions.”