India began its FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 campaign in style, defeating Chile 7-0 in the opening match at Chennai.
The emphatic victory showcased the host nation’s strength, yet head coach P.R. Sreejesh urged his players to develop a “killer attitude” and greater hunger in front of goal.
The Indian Colts dominated possession but struggled to convert chances in the first quarter, earning only one penalty corner. “Don’t relax once you are in the circle, just find that killer attitude. You need that hunger to score,” Sreejesh said after the match. He added that once the team overcame early jitters, they attacked with rhythm and purpose, eventually breaking through Chile’s defence.
India’s penalty corner conversion rate had been a major concern, standing at just 15 per cent during its runner-up finish in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2025. The absence of drag-flick specialist Araijeet Singh Hundal added to the challenge. However, against Chile, India converted two short corners, giving Sreejesh renewed confidence. “Now we are on track. We’ve started to score PCs,” he remarked with a smile.
Facing a lower-ranked opponent, India had to break down a tight low-block defence. The Colts recorded 38 circle penetrations, though not all translated into goals. “A defensive team won’t give you much space. Sometimes we need to push them out of the circle to create opportunities,” Sreejesh explained.
Sreejesh emphasised that players are “bosses on the field” and must make decisions in real time. He urged them to keep things simple against Oman in the next match: “Just put the ball inside the goal.” He reminded that this is an under-21 tournament, and the team will improve with experience as they analyse performances and return stronger.
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