The FIH Hockey World League Semifinals 2015 took place from 20 June to 5 July 2015 in Antwerp, Belgium. This tournament was a very important event, as it also served as a qualifier for the 2016 Summer Olympics. India was able to play directly in this semifinals round because they were ranked among the top 11 teams in the world at the time. Teams with high rankings got automatic entry into this stage, while other teams had to qualify through earlier rounds.
Let’s take a recap of the matches and see how India performed!
India vs France – 20 June 2015 (India won 3-2)
India started their tournament against France. The match was full of excitement and close moments. France took an early lead, putting pressure on India. But the Indian team did not give up. Manpreet Singh scored a smart goal to equalize, and soon after, Devindar Walmiki put India ahead with a quick shot. France tried to come back, but Ramandeep Singh sealed the match for India with a late goal. India won 3-2, showing great teamwork and fighting spirit.
India vs Poland – 23 June 2015 (India won 3-0)
In the next match, India faced Poland. The Indian players dominated the game from the start. They passed the ball well and created many chances. Yuvraj Walmiki scored the first goal with a clever move. Sardar Singh added another goal after a strong attack, and Devindar Walmiki finished the scoring with a powerful shot. India’s defense stayed strong, and they won the match 3-0, making their fans proud.
India vs Pakistan – 26 June 2015 (Draw 2-2)
The match against Pakistan was a classic rivalry. Both teams played with a lot of energy and passion. Ramandeep Singh was the hero for India, scoring two brilliant goals. Each time Pakistan tried to catch up, India answered back. The match was very close and ended in a 2-2 draw. It was a thrilling game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
India vs Australia – 28 June 2015 (India lost 2-6)
India’s next challenge was against Australia, one of the strongest teams in the world. Australia started fast and scored early goals. But India kept fighting. Birendra Lakra scored for India with a smart move, and Ramandeep Singh added another goal. Even though India lost 2-6, the team showed courage and never gave up against tough opponents.
Semifinals – India vs Belgium – 3 July 2015 (India lost 0-4)
In the semifinals, India played against the host team, Belgium. Belgium started the match with a quick goal. Florent van Aubel was in great form and scored three goals for Belgium, while Tom Boon added another. India tried their best to break through Belgium’s defense, but they could not score. The match ended with Belgium winning 4-0. India’s players gave their all, but Belgium was simply too strong on that day.
Final Results and Standings
After all the matches, India finished in fourth place in the tournament. Here are the top five teams and their final standings:
- Australia – Champions
- Belgium – Runners-up
- Great Britain – Third place
- India – Fourth place
- Malaysia – Fifth place
India fought hard and made it to the semifinals, showing that they are among the best hockey teams in the world.
Summary
India’s journey in the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals 2015 was full of excitement, teamwork, and great goals. The team played against some of the strongest teams and showed courage and skill in every match. Even though they did not win the tournament, finishing fourth was a big achievement. The experience helped the players grow stronger and get ready for future challenges. Indian hockey fans had many moments to cheer and be proud of their team!
