News for 09 December 2025
All the news for Tuesday 9 December 2025
FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025
Madurai and Chennai
All times GMT +5:30
Madurai
8 Dec 2025 09:00 NAM v OMA (23/24) 4 - 2
8 Dec 2025 11:30 CAN v EGY (21/22) 2 - 2 (SO 2 - 3)
8 Dec 2025 14:00 CHN v KOR (19/20) 4 - 5
8 Dec 2025 16:30 AUT v BAN (17/18) 4 - 5
Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium
7 Dec 2025 12:30 BEL v FRA (5/8) 3 - 2
7 Dec 2025 15:00 NZL v NED (5/8) 3 - 6
7 Dec 2025 17:30 ESP v ARG (SF) 2 - 1
7 Dec 2025 20:00 IND v GER (SF) 1 - 5
9 Dec 2025 12:30 CHI v SUI (15/16)
9 Dec 2025 15:00 JPN v MAS (13/14)
9 Dec 2025 17:30 AUS v RSA (11/12)
9 Dec 2025 20:00 ENG v IRL (9/10)
10 Dec 2025 12:30 FRA v NZL (7/8)
10 Dec 2025 15:00 BEL v NED (5/6)
10 Dec 2025 17:30 IND v ARG (3/4)
10 Dec 2025 20:00 GER v ESP (Final)
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Bangladesh clinch Challenger Trophy to sign off from Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup
Bangladesh finished their FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 campaign with a win, with the headline being their victory clinching the inaugural Challenger Trophy, introduced by the FIH president Tayyab Ikram as an incentive for the 17-24 place playoffs.
Namibia beat Oman to finish 23rd
By Helge Schutz 
JP Britz with Oman’s captain before the start of their match. Photo: NHU
Namibia finished 23rd overall at the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup in Madurai, India after beating Oman 4-2 in their final match yesterday.
Bangladesh secures Challenger Trophy with 5-4 win over Austria
A hat-trick from tournament top-scorer Amirul Islam, and goals from Hozifa Hossain and Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh beat its opponent to 17th in the final rankings.
Anish Pathiyil
Bangladesh celebrates with the Challenger Trophy. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY
Bangladesh secured the Challenger Trophy at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2025 after a 5-4 win over Austria at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium on Monday.
Missing connections: How India’s Hockey Junior World Cup title hopes went up in smoke against Germany in the semifinals
Just by blocking of passing lines and staying within their structures, Germany barely allowed India to have any attacking joy.
by Vinayakk Mohanarangan
India's problems were compounded by the fact that the errors started from the top of the pitch and trickled down. (PTI Photo)
In his post-match analysis after the 5-1 win against India at the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai on Sunday, German coach Mirko Stenzel was full of praise for his side’s defence throughout the night and the intensity in the first quarter, more than the attacking unit that pumped in the five goals. But one line of his post-match analysis stood out: “To beat the individual-skilled players from India the way we did is incredibly hard.” It was evidently meant as a compliment to India’s style of hockey, but it also gave a glimpse into why Germany were able to thwart the hosts’ attacking forays on the night effectively. Just by blocking of passing lines and staying within their structures, Germany barely allowed India to have any attacking joy.
India seeks strong finish, gears up for bronze-medal clash with Argentina
The third-place duel against the No. 3-ranked side presents an opportunity for the Blue Colts to showcase their mental fortitude.
Saikat Chakraborty
The Indian side, which edged Belgium in a nervy quarterfinal, has hopefully learned valuable lessons from the heavy semifinal defeat. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Following a thumping 1-5 defeat to Germany in the semifinal of the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2025, the Indian team will have to bounce back to fight for a podium finish on Wednesday against Argentina at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.
International Teams Participating at FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 Enjoy Traditional Day in Chennai
Chennai: In what was a memorable display of Tamil Nadu’s culture, the international teams stationed in Chennai for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 took part in a Traditional Day at the Information and Public Relations Office, Valluvarkottam.
Madurai facelift for Junior World Cup provides hockey hopefuls platform to dream
Hosting the World Cup in Madurai has helped the players from Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu’s hostels and academies to undertake a free crash course in top-level field hockey.
Anish Pathiyil
A few members of the SDAT Madurai and Kovilpatti hostels participated in a warm-up match against Malaysia on the eve of the junior World Cup. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The southern districts of Tamil Nadu have long been the cradle of hockey players in the state. The Sports Hostel of Excellence (SHE) in Kovilpatti, and the districts of Madurai and Ramanathapuram have contributed more than ten players to the State hockey team every year since 2019.
FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025
City of Santiago
All times GMT -4
8 Dec 2025 09:00 CAN v MAS (17/24) 3 - 3 (SO 5 - 3)
8 Dec 2025 11:15 SCO v NAM (17/24) 4 - 0
8 Dec 2025 13:30 NED v ENG (QF) 8 - 2
8 Dec 2025 15:45 USA v BEL (QF) 1 - 4
8 Dec 2025 18:00 AUS v CHN (QF) 3 - 5
8 Dec 2025 20:15 GER v ARG (QF) 1 - 2
9 Dec 2025 09:00 IRL v KOR (13/16)
9 Dec 2025 11:15 ESP v JPN (9/12)
9 Dec 2025 13:30 IND v URU (9/12)
9 Dec 2025 15:45 WAL v RSA (13/16)
9 Dec 2025 18:00 ENG (QF) v USA (5/8)
9 Dec 2025 20:15 GER v AUS (5/8)
10 Dec 2025 09:00 AUT v NAM (21/24)
10 Dec 2025 11:15 MAS v ZIM (21/24)
10 Dec 2025 13:30 NZL v SCO (17/20)
10 Dec 2025 15:45 NED v BEL (SF)
10 Dec 2025 18:00 ARG v CHN (SF)
10 Dec 2025 20:15 CAN v CHI (17/20)
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Dutch dominance, a Chinese hat-trick and a combative Argentina: semi-finals set in Santiago
The quarter-finals delivered a clear picture of the tournament’s leading contenders, with the Netherlands advancing through an imposing win against England and China reaffirming their competitive strength against Australia thanks to a hat-trick from Wang Lihang, one of the standout names of the event. Belgium also secured their spot among the top four after overcoming the United States with a consistent display, in a phase where tempo, efficiency and tactical adjustment clearly separated the teams still in contention from those who fell short.
Malaysian women fall to Canada in Santiago
By Aftar Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia were edged 5-3 by Canada in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 3-3 in regulation time in the women's Junior World Cup 17th-24th classification match in Santiago, Chile on Monday.
Scotland win big in Women’s Junior World Cup in Chile
Scotland 4-0 Namibia
A tremendous 4-0 victory for Scotland over Namibia saw the team’s first victory in Women’s Junior World Cup in 20 years.
U-21 USWNT Falls to Belgium in 2025 JWC Quarterfinal
SANTIAGO, Chile – Despite an evenly matched first half performance, the No. 6 U.S. U-21 Women’s National Team dropped their 2025 FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Quarterfinal, 4-1, to No. 7 Belgium.
2025-26 FIH Hockey Pro League
Men
Sport Ireland Campus, Ireland - Time GMT
9 Dec 2025 11:30 GER v BEL (RR)
10 Dec 2025 11:30 ENG v GER (RR)
Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina - Time GMT -3
9 Dec 2025 19:00 NED v PAK (RR)
10 Dec 2025 19:00 ARG v NED (RR)
Pool Standings
Women
Sport Ireland Campus, Ireland - Time GMT
9 Dec 2025 14:00 ENG v BEL (RR)
10 Dec 2025 14:00 IRL v BEL (RR)
Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Argentina - Time GMT -3
9 Dec 2025 21:30 GER v NED (RR)
10 Dec 2025 21:30 ARG v GER (RR)
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
FIH Pro League opens new global chapter
By Raúl Daffunchio Picazo 
GETTY IMAGES
A little over eight months before the joint 2026 World Cup, the 2025-26 season will begin on Tuesday in Ireland and Argentina, where the leading teams will start their bid for direct qualification to Los Angeles 2028.
Athlete leadership groups ready for 25/26 season
The leadership groups for the 25/26 season have been put in place to lead the Men’s and Women’s squads through FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup Qualifiers and the World Cup.
2025 Test Matches RSA v IND (M)
Cape Town, South Africa
All times GMT +2
7 Dec 2025 17:00 RSA v IND 2 - 5
8 Dec 2025 19:00 RSA v IND 2 - 2
FIH Match Centre
SA Dig Deep to Keep the Series Alive in Cape Town Classic
South Africa produced a superb, spirited performance to hold India to a 2-2 draw in Cape Town, ending a run of defeats to the Asian champions that stretched back 13 years and keeping the Test series alive. The build-up carried added significance too — it was the first time South Africa had played a Test match at Hartleyvale since 2017, and the crowd responded with energy that the players fed off all night.
SEA Games Thailand 2025 (Hockey5s)
Bangkok (THA)
GMT +7
Men
8 Dec 2025 12:00 INA v PHI (One Pool) 15 - 0
8 Dec 2025 14:00 MAS v THA (One Pool) 9 - 1
9 Dec is a rest day
10 Dec 2025 09:00 MAS v PHI (Semi-Final)
10 Dec 2025 10:00 THA v INA (Semi-Final)
10 Dec 2025 14:30 Winner M07 v Winner M08 (Final)
Pool standings
Women
8 Dec 2025 10:00 INA v THA (One Pool) 2 - 6
8 Dec 2025 11:00 MAS v PHI (One Pool) 13 - 0
8 Dec 2025 15:00 THA v MAS (One Pool) 2 - 7
8 Dec 2025 16:00 INA v PHI (One Pool) 7 - 0
9 Dec is a rest day
10 Dec 2025 11:00 MAS v PHI (Semi-Final)
10 Dec 2025 12:00 THA v INA (Semi-Final)
10 Dec 2025 15:30 Winner W07 v Winner W08 (Final)
Pool standings
FIH Match Centre
Malaysian men and women top SEA Games Hockey 5s standings
By Aftar Singh
Malaysia thrashed Thailand 9-1 to top the men's standings in the SEA Games Hockey 5s tournament at Royal Thai Air Force Hockey field in Bangkok today. - Pic coutesy of MHC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia thrashed Thailand 9-1 to top the men's standings in the SEA Games Hockey 5s tournament at Royal Thai Air Force Hockey field in Bangkok today.
No walk in the park for Hockey 5s squads
By Saiful Affendy Sapran
Malaysia’s Abid Sufian Mat Ruslee (right) in action with a Thai player yesterday. - BERNAMA PIC
BANGKOK: Malaysia may be storming towards the Hockey 5s gold at the SEA Games, but coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman insists the path to the title will be anything but straightforward, with their strongest challengers, Indonesia and Thailand, both coached by Malaysians.
Summer of Hockey heads North to Hamilton for a Four Nations Event
Hockey New Zealand is thrilled to announce the next chapter of the Summer of Hockey, with the Vantage Black Sticks Men set to host Korea, Japan, and Malaysia in a Four Nations tournament at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton from 30 January to 3 February 2026. In partnership with Hamilton City and Waikato Hockey Association we are bringing this exciting new event and world-class international hockey to the Waikato region.
Unbeaten SCHC by far the best team of 2025
Ramon Min
There was one team in the Tulp Hoofdklasse Women's regular league this calendar year that stood out far above the rest: SCHC. The team from Bilthoven can call itself the best-performing team of 2025.
Surbiton Hockey Club to host EHL Premier Division finals 
The England Hockey League (EHL) Premier Division Finals will return to Surbiton Hockey Club in May 2026 for what will prove to be an exciting finish to the 25/26 season.
Looking For The Right Outcomes
By Ashley Morrison
For those of us of a certain age it seems like a lifetime ago that the old adage the 'referee/umpire's decision is final' was something all sports people and fans understood.
Legends Gathered for 2025 US Hall of Fame Celebration
BRYN MAWR, Pa. – It was an afternoon to remember! More than 100 individuals gathered in the Great Hall of Old Library on the campus of Bryn Mawr College yesterday to celebrate five key contributors of the game at the 2025 USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame Celebration, hosted by the USA Field Hockey Foundation.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Virtual National Coaches Forum
The 2025 Virtual National Coaches Forum (VNCF), presented by AAE, kicked off last Tuesday, December 2, and concluded on the evening of Thursday, December 4. The event featured a lineup that delivered big ideas and practical takeaways for coaches at every level.
Fed up of wet hockey shoes? This product dries trainers and looks after our feet
By Rod Gilmour
How many of us have returned from a wet weekend of hockey and put astro trainers on the radiator or shoved in newspaper, to try and get them dry before midweek training or the following weekend?