India's Junior Hockey Team Set to Clash with Belgium in FIH World Cup Quarterfinals

The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team is set to clash with Belgium in the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025. After a series of impressive victories in the round-robin stage, the team is ready to face a formidable opponent in Belgium. Coach PR Sreejesh and captain Rohit express confidence in their squad's abilities as they prepare for this crucial match in Chennai. With both teams having a rich hockey heritage, this encounter promises to be an exciting showdown. Read on to find out more about the match and the teams' preparations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 02:14 IST

Exciting Quarterfinal Matchup Ahead

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 4: The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team is gearing up to take on their long-standing rivals, Belgium, in the quarterfinals of the esteemed FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025. This thrilling encounter is scheduled for Friday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium located in Egmore, Chennai.

Under the guidance of coach PR Sreejesh, the team has shown impressive form during the round-robin phase, achieving remarkable victories against teams that are not typically known for their hockey prowess. They secured a dominant 7-0 win over Chile, a staggering 17-0 against Oman, and a 5-0 triumph over Switzerland. The goalkeepers have faced minimal challenges, while the attacking unit has been in exceptional form, netting a total of 29 goals, the highest in the tournament thus far.

However, the match against Belgium will present a significant challenge. The Indian team enters the quarterfinals after finishing second in Pool D, trailing behind Spain. Their journey included a 12-1 victory over Namibia, a 0-2 loss to Spain, and a 10-0 win against Egypt, as reported by Hockey India.

In their previous encounters at the Junior World Cup, India managed to edge out Belgium with a narrow 1-0 victory in 2021 in Odisha and a 2-1 win in 2016 in Lucknow. Although the junior teams of both nations have not faced each other frequently in recent years, both are recognized as hockey powerhouses with robust domestic frameworks and U-21 programs, promising an intense competition.

Commenting on the upcoming match, Sreejesh expressed, “We are eager for a competitive match. Belgium is a formidable opponent, and our real campaign begins now. The substantial victories in the round-robin stage were crucial for building momentum and alleviating any pre-tournament nerves. I believe the players are prepared for this challenge.”

Team captain Rohit also shared his optimism, stating, “For some of us, this is our second Junior World Cup, while many are experiencing this prestigious tournament for the first time, which naturally brings some nerves. However, our performance in the first three matches has instilled confidence in us, and we are aware of our capabilities. We will give our utmost against Belgium,” Rohit remarked.

India's quarterfinal match is set to take place in Chennai on December 5.