Guts & glory: India pull off thrilling win

Sharda Nand Tiwari slots in all three penalty strokes in shoot-out win against Belgium; hosts to face Germany next

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE tension was hanging in the air like an unwelcome visitor in the night long after dinner time. In terms of the structure, the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium cannot be compared to the more imposing arenas across Bhubaneswar but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in heart and desire.

At various points during India's ultra tight quarterfinal clash against Belgium at the junior World Cup, fans became coaches. “Defend,” a few of them kept shouting. “One-man defending.” The electricity ratcheted up a few more notches during the rolling shootout. After the match had finished 2-2 in regulation time, the visitors whose senior team have been a thorn for India at various FIH events over the last decade were level after the first three penalties.