Hockey Dec 4 at Chennai: England and Ireland Dominate, South Africa Stay Clinical, Australia Edge Japan in Tight Finish
Chennai, Tamil Nadu — December 4, 2025.
The Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium delivered a full spectrum of junior international hockey on Thursday as four key 9–16 classification matches produced everything from attacking dominance to last-minute drama at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. England, Ireland and South Africa registered commanding victories, while Australia sealed a tense one-goal win over Japan under the lights.
🇬🇧 England 3–1 Chile — Early Control, Ruthless Finish
England asserted control early against Chile in the day’s opening fixture. After a scoreless initial phase, England broke through in the 13th minute via a penalty corner, converting their first set-piece opportunity to take a 1–0 lead. The pressure continued relentlessly, and England doubled the advantage through a field goal in the 19th minute, making it 2–0.
Chile showed character with a quick field goal response in the 23rd minute to reduce the deficit to 2–1, briefly reviving hopes of a comeback. But England shut the door decisively with another field goal in the 27th minute, closing the contest at 3–1 by halftime itself. The entire second half remained goalless as England shifted into defensive control mode, protecting their lead with sound structure and disciplined pressing.
🇿🇦 South Africa 3–1 Malaysia — Penalty Corner Superiority Decides
South Africa delivered one of the most set-piece-dominant performances of the day, defeating Malaysia 3–1 with all three of their goals coming from penalty corners. After a goalless first period, South Africa drew first blood in the 18th minute with a clean PC conversion for 1–0.
They doubled the lead in the 39th minute, again from a penalty corner, completing a perfect execution pattern at the top of the circle. Malaysia pulled one back in the 48th minute, also via a penalty corner, cutting the margin to 2–1 and injecting fresh urgency into the contest.
Any late momentum was short-lived. South Africa closed the game in style in the 58th minute, earning and converting yet another penalty corner for 3–1, sealing a tactically disciplined and physically dominant win.
🇨🇭 Switzerland 2–5 Ireland — Irish Third-Quarter Blitz Breaks Resistance
Ireland produced the most explosive attacking phase of the day in their 5–2 triumph over Switzerland. After a scoreless first period, Ireland struck in the 25th minute through a field goal to lead 1–0. Switzerland responded quickly in the 30th minute, also via a field goal, to make it 1–1 at halftime.
The third quarter completely transformed the match. Ireland scored three goals in quick succession, all from penalty corners in the 36th, 38th and 39th minutes, racing ahead to a commanding 4–1 lead. Switzerland managed a late push and earned a penalty stroke in the 50th minute, converted to make it 4–2.
However, Ireland closed proceedings calmly with another penalty stroke in the final minute (60’), wrapping up an emphatic 5–2 victory that underlined their aerial variation and set-piece sharpness.
🇦🇺 Australia 1–0 Japan — Late Penalty Corner Settles a Tactical Chess Match
The final match of the day delivered a gripping defensive contest as Australia edged Japan 1–0 in a match that remained locked at 0–0 across three periods. Both sides displayed outstanding structure, denying space in the circle and neutralising counter-attacks with disciplined retreating defenses.
Just as the game appeared destined for a goalless draw, Australia forced a decisive breakthrough in the 56th minute, earning a penalty corner. The drag-flick was executed with precision, sending the ball into the backboard and finally breaking the deadlock at 1–0.
Japan pressed hard in the closing minutes but Australia’s defensive unit held firm, sealing a narrow but significant victory in a match defined by patience and composure.
✅ Day Summary at Chennai
- Biggest win: Ireland 5–2 Switzerland
- Set-piece specialists: South Africa (3 goals — all PCs)
- Fastest finish: England wrapped up their match by halftime
- Tightest contest: Australia 1–0 Japan (decided in the 56th minute)
With knockout momentum building, December 4 proved pivotal for teams fighting to secure the strongest possible finish outside the medal rounds. As the competition now heads into its decisive stages, discipline, penalty corner efficiency and defensive patience are clearly emerging as the defining currencies of success.
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