Chennai, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Indian junior men's hockey team is set to clash with long-standing rivals Belgium in the quarterfinals of the esteemed FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, taking place at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Under the guidance of coach PR Sreejesh, India's performance has been impressive during the round-robin phase, achieving notable victories against teams that are less recognized in the hockey arena. They triumphed with scores of 7-0 against Chile, 17-0 against Oman, and 5-0 against Switzerland. The goalkeeping unit has faced minimal challenges, while the offense has excelled, netting a total of 29 goals—the highest tally in the tournament thus far.

However, they will face a real test against Belgium, which advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing second in pool D, just behind Spain. Their journey included a resounding victory over Namibia with a score of 12-1, followed by a loss to Spain (0-2) and a decisive win against Egypt (10-0).

In the previous Junior World Cup held in Odisha, India edged past Belgium with a narrow 1-0 victory, and in the 2016 Junior World Cup, they secured a 2-1 win. Although the two junior teams have not met frequently in recent years, both are recognized as powerhouses in hockey, boasting strong domestic structures and U-21 programs, promising an exciting matchup.

Coach Sreejesh remarked, "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 in building momentum and alleviating any pre-tournament jitters. I believe our players are prepared for this challenge."

Captain Rohit also shared his optimism. "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 initial matches has instilled confidence in us, and we understand our capabilities. We are ready to give our all against Belgium," Rohit stated.

The quarterfinal match will take place in Chennai on December 5.

Previously, the Indian junior men's hockey team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Men's Junior World Cup after an unbeaten streak in the round-robin league phase, convincingly defeating Switzerland 5-0 at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium.