By ERROL D’CRUZ

In a game that wasn’t as open as expected, India produced a moment of brilliance to score a 1-0 win over Belgium at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday and set a semi-final date on Friday with six-time champions Germany in the 2021 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.

Sanjay, with eight goals in the tournament, provided that moment – not by drag flicking into the net as is his wont but spin dribbling and laying the ball for Sharda Nand Tiwari to do the needful in the 21st minute. The ploy took both Belgian runners out of the equation and left Tiwari time and space to flick past Boris Feldhiem in goal.

It needed another piece of excellence to seal and endorse victory and it came in the form of goalkeeper Pawan whose double save with just two minutes to go denied Belgium from their third penalty corner.

On a day that all three quarterfinals produced last-gasp goals, India ran down the clock without much ado.

Head coach Graham Reid however said his boys have much to do. “I thought we were asleep for a bit at the back at the start but our defence played better than against France. Our goalkeepers shone and we believe in changing Pawan and Prashant Chauhan every quarter which will bring them valuable experience from a top tournament,” he said.

The resolve in defence also produced a player-of-the-match award for Vishnukant Singh

The much-touted “re-match” of the 2016 final in Lucknow which India won 2-1 to win their second title, held intrigue. India, whose progress has been steady and determined after an opening match 4-5 reverse against France, appeared to have their hands full in the opening minutes that Belgium dominated. But once the home side got into a rhythm, Belgium began to feel the heat.

Araijeet Singh Hundal brought the goalkeeper into the frame with an essay that was padded away but the opening quarter ended blank with no clear-cut opportunities falling at either end.

Vice-captain Sanjay, a bulwark in the defence who doubles up with drag-flicks at penalty corners demonstrated his versatility yet again with a sparkling run deep into the rival defence. It led to dividends in terms of a penalty corner – India’s only in the match – and the decisive goal.

Belgium, attempting to bounce back, did what they do best – move the ball around patiently and effect attacks from the right-hand side, and Nelson Onana forced their first penalty corner in the 27th minute which Jeff De Winter dragged just wide.

Belgium’s need to chase the game as well as their propensity to control play had India defending stoutly in the second half. The statistics reflect the Young Red Lions’ ascendancy which yielded 24 circle entries to 16 by India, seven shots versus just two, three penalty corners to one forced by the hosts and a 51-49 edge in possession percentage.

However, the important statistic – goals scored- remained static as India carried out the basics that Reid called for pre-match – intercepting efficiently and tackling cleanly.

A familiar glitch reappeared in the final quarter. India picked up two yellow cards — one to Yashdeep Siwach along with a penalty corner midway through the quarter and another on the dot of full time to captain Vivek Sagar Prasad for the second successive match.

Then, with 3.50 minutes to go, Belgium pulled out their goalkeeper and the subsequent press brought them their third and final penalty corner. It created the stage for Pawan to script a breathtaking act and keep his goal – and India’s bid to enter the medal round – intact.

Germany beat Spain in a shootout after equalizing with the last play of the match that ended 2-2. Argentina put paid to The Netherlands 2-1 with a last-gasp goal and France outplayed Malaysia 4-0 to book the other semi-final spots.