The stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying encounter as India takes on Belgium in the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. The match will be held on Friday, December 5, at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, with the host nation riding high on confidence after a dominant group stage performance.

India has been nothing short of spectacular in the tournament so far. Led by captain Rohit and coached by Olympic bronze medalist PR Sreejesh, the Indian Colts have steamrolled through Pool B with an unblemished record. Their campaign began with a convincing 7-0 victory over Chile, followed by a record-breaking 17-0 demolition of Oman, and concluded with a clinical 5-0 triumph over Switzerland at the Madurai International Hockey Stadium on December 2.

The numbers tell a compelling story of India's dominance. The host nation has netted an astonishing 29 goals while maintaining a perfect defensive record, not conceding a single goal across three matches. Dilraj Singh has emerged as the tournament's standout performer, netting six goals including multiple braces. Manmeet Singh has been equally impressive with five goals, including a hat-trick, while Arshdeep Singh has contributed four goals to the tally. Drag-flick specialist Sharda Nand Tiwari has been central to India's scoring spree with three penalty-corner conversions.

Belgium, however, will provide a far sterner test than any opponent India has faced thus far. The European side finished second in Pool D behind Spain, demonstrating their quality with a 12-1 thrashing of Namibia and a 10-0 victory over Egypt. Their only blemish was a 0-2 loss to Spain, showcasing that they can be beaten but require a structured, disciplined approach.

Despite their goal-scoring prowess, India faces some concerns heading into the knockout stages. Their penalty-corner conversion rate has been below par, having converted only nine from 34 opportunities. Against Belgium's well-organized defensive unit, making the most of limited chances will be crucial. Furthermore, India's defense remains largely untested against quality opposition, and Belgium's forwards are expected to apply a far more structured press than previous opponents.

The historical record between these two nations favors India. In the 2021 Junior World Cup held in Odisha, India edged Belgium 1-0 in a tense encounter, while in the 2016 edition in Lucknow, the hosts prevailed 2-1. However, both nations have evolved significantly since those meetings.

Coach Sreejesh expressed confidence ahead of the crucial match. Speaking to the media, he said the team is looking forward to a good contest and acknowledged that the campaign truly starts now. He emphasized that the big wins in the round-robin stage were needed to set the right momentum and shake off tournament nerves.

Captain Rohit echoed similar sentiments, noting that while some players are experiencing their second Junior World Cup, many are participating in this prestigious tournament for the first time. The pressure of knockout hockey on home soil will test the young squad's mental fortitude.

The quarterfinal lineup also features Spain taking on New Zealand, France facing Germany, and Netherlands meeting Argentina. All four matches will be held on December 5, with the winners advancing to the semifinals on December 7. Fans in India can watch the action live on Star Sports Network or stream it on JioHotstar.