Chennai, Tamil Nadu — The FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup 2025 began in spectacular fashion on Friday as the Indian junior men’s team delivered a commanding 7–0 win over Chile at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. The home crowd witnessed a near-perfect performance from the young Indian side, who showcased sharp attacking play, disciplined defending, and relentless energy throughout the match. The victory instantly propelled India to the top of Pool B and set an early benchmark for the tournament.
After a cautious opening quarter in which both teams tested each other with controlled midfield battles, India shifted gears dramatically in the second quarter. The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Rosan Kujur found the back of the net with a well-placed finish following a swift build-up. The goal settled Indian nerves and opened the floodgates for more scoring opportunities. Just five minutes later, Kujur struck again, doubling India’s lead with a deft move inside the circle that exposed Chile’s defensive gaps.
India’s momentum continued to surge, and Dilraj Singh joined the scoring act in the 25th minute. A powerful drive into the circle ended with Singh firing home India’s third goal. Singh was not finished yet—he added another strike early in the third quarter, extending the lead to 4–0 and effectively putting the match beyond Chile’s reach.
Barely a minute after Singh’s second goal, Ajeet Yadav netted India’s fifth. The quick scoring sequence stunned the Chilean defense, which struggled to contain India’s fluid movement and aggressive pressing. With precision passing and smart positional rotation, India maintained complete control of the tempo.
In the fourth quarter, India continued to press high despite their comfortable lead. Anmol Ekka added the sixth goal in the 48th minute, capitalizing on a loose rebound inside the circle. As the match approached its conclusion, captain Rohit stepped up to convert a penalty stroke in the 59th minute, sealing the emphatic 7–0 win to the delight of thousands of supporters in the stands.
A notable highlight of the match was India’s defensive solidity. Both goalkeepers, Bikramjeet Singh and Prince Deep Singh, shared duties and ensured a clean sheet. They were supported well by the backline, which remained compact, alert, and disciplined. Chile managed occasional counterattacking attempts, but India’s defense neutralized them with confidence and composure.
For India, the result was not just a win but a statement. Playing on home soil brings both advantage and pressure; however, the young squad handled the occasion with maturity and flair. Head Coach Sreejesh had emphasized before the match the importance of “playing our own game,” and his team delivered exactly that—structured hockey, intelligent decision-making, and clinical finishing.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Day 1 produced a flurry of goals across venues in Chennai and Madurai. Defending champions Germany began their campaign with a strong 4–0 win over South Africa, signaling their intent to challenge for another title. Belgium, meanwhile, registered one of the biggest wins of the day with a 12–1 victory over Namibia, showcasing the attacking firepower many expect from them.
With such high-scoring results, the opening day has set the tone for an exciting and fast-paced tournament. For India, the focus will now be on maintaining momentum as they prepare for their remaining Pool B matches against Oman and Switzerland. If their opening performance is any indication, the hosts have the skill, depth, and confidence to make a serious push for a spot in the knockout stages.
As the World Cup action intensifies, Indian fans will hope their team continues to build on this dominant start. For now, the 7–0 demolition of Chile stands as an early highlight and a powerful reminder of the potential of this talented Indian squad.
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