FIH Junior Men’s World Cup: Netherlands wins thriller against England; Malaysia, Germany post big wins

A spirited England performance and a nagging drizzle couldn’t dampen the Netherlands team as it began its FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2025 Pool E campaign with a 5-3 win. 

The contest began at a heightened tempo as England pressed hard right from the start. The English, with their heart on their sleeve, vocally celebrated even the tiniest speck of play going in their favour. But the sledging was silenced quickly by the Dutch, who opened the scoring in the second minute. Merijn Maas’ failed attempt at a trap inside the shooting circle found Jan van ’t Land, who flicked it past the keeper’s reach. 

Michael Roydon’s passionate articulation in a huddle just ahead of a Penalty Corner (PC) worked a treat as Kaden Draysey smashed the set-piece into the roof of the net to bring England level. The Jong Oranje had a moment of alarm as captain Casper van der Veen copped a powerful shot from Finn van Bijnen on his knee, forcing him to be subbed off. But the junior hockey veteran returned in the second quarter to put the team back in front, deflecting a long ground pass from Joppe Wolbert high into the net. England equalised just three minutes later. Nathan Gladman’s searing run across the baseline forced the keeper to engage before he cut the ball back for Royden to stroke into an empty net. 

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The early pressing eventually fizzled out into some attritional play as both sides switched to deeper defending, with only one forward putting pressure high up. Wolbert’s Penalty Stroke put the fifth-ranked Netherlands back on top, following which it was able to firm its grip on the game. Van ’t Land scored his second after another long pass sat up kindly for him, and Danilo Trieling slid into the circle to deflect a PC into the net after a consolatory George Fletcher goal to seal victory and the bragging rights in the group. 

Malaysia has it easy

Pool E’s second game saw Malaysia beat lower-ranked Austria 5-1. The scoreline was far more flattering for the Speedy Tigers than the game suggested. Austria’s resolute defence kept them at bay till the 27th minute, when Oman Harris converted a PC. The floodgates opened in the fourth quarter as Malaysia scored four in ten minutes, with Austrian shoulders drooping further with each goal. Julian Kaiser’s PC conversion came too late to affect the eventual outcome. 

South Africa pips the Irish

South Africa traded blows with Ireland for almost three quarters before prevailing 2-1 in a tense Pool A encounter. Reuben Sendzul’s driving run outward to the right in the 43rd minute, followed by a powerful near-post shot, helped the side take the lead with its first goal of the tournament. Ireland equalised just two minutes later through Matthew McKee but found itself behind again to a Ross Montgomery goal with just six minutes left to play, succumbing to a loss that all but quashes its hopes of a quarterfinal berth. 

Germany makes short work of Canada

Germany’s Paul Glander (in white) in action against Canada at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium.
| Photo Credit:
G. MOORTHY

Germany put one foot in the quarterfinal after a commanding 7-0 win over Canada in the final match of the day, thanks to a hat-trick by Ben Hasbach. The team dominated the possession and circle penetration stats in the first two quarters, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime. Jonas von Gersum’s immaculate air dribble, followed by a turn and drive, brought the third goal, which proved to be the precursor to more one-way traffic. The Pool A topper displayed far greater awareness and technical quality in the ‘D’ to trouble the opposition every time it made an incursion, managing to add four more before the final hooter.  

Published on Nov 29, 2025