The Indian junior men's hockey team's journey at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup took a dramatic and nerve-wracking turn in their latest encounter. The home side, after appearing to be in control, conceded a last-gasp equaliser to Belgium, forcing the match into a tense penalty shootout. The dramatic finish left the team's coach, the legendary PR Sreejesh, visibly furious on the sidelines.
A Costly Last-Minute Mishap
The match, played on 06 December 2025, was poised for an Indian victory until the final moments. India had established a 2-2 lead and seemed set to secure the win in regulation time. However, a critical defensive error in the dying seconds allowed the Belgian side to score, levelling the score at 2-2. This shocking turn of events sent the quarter-final clash into a high-pressure shootout, much to the dismay of the packed home crowd.
Coach Sreejesh's Visible Anger
The reaction from India's coach, PR Sreejesh, was immediate and intense. Clearly perturbed by his team's inability to close out the game, the former goalkeeping great was seen fuming on the bench. His frustration was directed at the lapse in concentration that made the Indian players look, in his apparent view, sheepish in front of their supporters. The incident underscored the fine margins at play in top-tier international tournaments like the Junior World Cup.
What This Means for India's Campaign
While the result of the shootout itself is not detailed in the initial report, the very fact that India was pushed to that limit by Belgium is significant. The team's resilience was tested in an extreme pressure cooker situation. For a squad mentored by a stalwart like Sreejesh, known for his own shootout heroics, this experience will be a crucial learning point. The focus will now shift to analysing the defensive breakdown and mental fortitude required to see out such tight games in the future stages of the FIH Men's Junior World Cup.
The event has highlighted both the promise and the pressure on the young Indian squad. Performing at home brings immense support but also magnifies every mistake. How the team and its fiery coach regroup from this tense episode will define their path forward in the prestigious global championship.
