Playing on home turf, the Indian Men’s Junior Hockey Team led by Rohit Ekka and guided by PR Sreejesh has made a thunderous statement in the group stage of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, storming into the quarter-finals with an unblemished record.
Finishing at the top of the Pool B chart, the hosts showcased ruthless attacking power and disciplined defending, netting an astonishing 29 goals and keeping a clean sheet across their three victories.
India began their campaign by crushing Chile 7–0 in Chennai before producing a 17–0 rampage against Oman, a team drafted in after Pakistan declined to travel. For the final group match, the Indian team caravan moved to Madurai, where they defeated Switzerland 5–0 to complete a dominant pool phase.
Dilraj Singh has been a standout performer for India, netting six goals, including multiple braces. Manmeet Singh has also impressed, scoring five times, including a hat-trick, while Arshdeep, who struck a hat-trick against Oman, has four goals to his name. Drag-flick specialist Shardanand Tiwari has been central to India’s scoring spree with three penalty-corner conversions.
The looming Belgian challenge
The true test for coach Sreejesh’s side begins now, as India transition from a comfortable group stage against lower-ranked teams to the high-stakes knockout arena. The Indian colts are set to face European powerhouse Belgium in the last eight.
Belgium finished second in Pool D after a loss to Spain, but the side has demonstrated rigid structure, defensive brilliance and tactical discipline throughout the tournament. Captain Lucas Balthazar, Hugo Labouchere, Mathis Lauwers and Maximilian Langer have shown excellent stick work and will challenge India far more than their earlier opponents.
For India, the challenge is multifaceted. The host nation’s penalty-corner conversion has been below par. Despite earning a high number of set-pieces, 34 so far, India have converted only nine. While Shardanand’s presence offers some assurance, making the most of limited opportunities against Belgium’s defensive unit will be crucial.
India’s defence remains untested against a top-quality attack. They are yet to concede a goal, but the sternest test came against Switzerland, when they gave away penalty corners in the final quarter. Belgium’s forwards will apply a far more structured press with sharper clearances and transitions. The Indian midfield and defensive line will need greater precision.
Historically, India have enjoyed the upper hand over Belgium in Junior World Cup knockout matches on home soil. The last edition hosted in Bhubaneswar offers fond memories, with a Shardanand Tiwari goal helping India beat Belgium in the quarter-finals. The 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow, which India won, also saw the hosts defeat Belgium in the final to lift their second title.
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