Impressive Start for India at FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup
The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team kicked off their campaign in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 with an impressive 7-0 victory over Chile. This match took place at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, which also hosted a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday. The goals for India were scored by Rosan Kujur (16′, 21′), Dilraj Singh (25′, 34′), Ajeet Yadav (35′), Anmol Ekka (48′), and Rohit (59′). The Indian goalkeepers, Bikramjeet Singh and Prince Deep Singh, played a crucial role in maintaining a clean sheet, as reported by Hockey India.
India Takes Charge in the Second Quarter
The match began with a tense first quarter, where Chile displayed commendable resilience against the more seasoned Indian squad. Despite some promising attempts by Dilraj Singh to penetrate the circle, India struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Although they earned a penalty corner in the 15th minute, it was in the second quarter that India found their rhythm, scoring their first goal in the 16th minute through Rosan Kujur, igniting excitement among the Chennai crowd.
Rosan quickly added another goal in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a well-placed ball from the mid-line, leaving him unmarked. With a 2–0 lead, India began to dominate the match, breaking through Chile’s initial defences. Dilraj Singh then extended the lead to 3-0 in the 25th minute, setting a solid foundation for the third quarter.
Third Quarter Seals the Game
India’s fourth goal came in the 34th minute when Ankit Pal skillfully maneuvered past three Chilean defenders to assist Dilraj inside the circle. Dilraj, eager to score, quickly turned and found the net. Just a minute later, Ajeet Yadav added to the tally, making it 5-0 and effectively sealing Chile’s fate.
Final Quarter Highlights
In the last quarter, India continued to shine, with Anmol Ekka scoring from a penalty corner created by Manmeet Singh, who drew a foul from a Chilean defender. Ekka executed a brilliant flick into the right corner. The scoring concluded with a penalty stroke by team captain Rohit in the 59th minute, culminating in a resounding 7-0 victory for India.
