~ They will take on England in their opening match on November 29 in Madurai ~
Chennai, November 20, 2025: The Dutch men’s junior hockey team landed in Chennai on Thursday, ahead of the highly anticipated FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, which will take place from November 28 to December 10 in the vibrant host cities of Chennai and Madurai. With 24 teams competing for top honors, this year’s edition promises to be the largest and most competitive in the tournament’s history.
One of the most consistent players at the Junior World Cup, Holland has a rich legacy to uphold. They are among the selected countries that have participated in every edition of the tournament since its inception. Their impressive record includes a silver medal in 1985 and 2009 and a bronze medal in 1979 and 2013. With their last podium finish over a decade ago, the Dutch stallions now enter the 2025 edition with renewed determination and a clear mission: to push to the limit and lift the elusive World Cup trophy.
Speaking about the team’s arrival, team coach Jesse Mahieu said: “I have been to India a few times, including with the senior national team, so I am familiar with the country. But every time we return, the warmth of the welcome is always noticeable, and we really appreciate that. For many of our players, this is the first time they have traveled outside Europe, so it is a particularly memorable experience for them.”
He added: “As for the tournament, we know it will be very competitive. With 24 teams this year – a new format – the level will be intense, and there are several very strong sides in the mix. Our focus is on getting into the tournament step by step and getting off to a good start. We start against England, and that is where our journey begins. From there we will take it one match at a time.”
Dutch captain Casper van der Veen also added: “We are really looking forward to this tournament – to enjoy the experience and push ourselves to perform at our best. When it comes to tough opponents, I don’t think too far ahead. At the moment our focus is just on the group stage. We have England, Austria and Malaysia, and all three are challenging matches. We have to approach them with full intensity and make sure we put ourselves in a strong position early on. Once we get through the group stage, we will see who awaits us in the quarter-finals.”
The Dutch Stallions have been placed in Pool E alongside Austria, England and Malaysia and will begin their campaign on November 29, taking on England in what promises to be an exciting encounter in Madurai. The team will look to make a strong opening statement as they begin their journey to glory in the Junior World Cup.
The live streaming of FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025 matches will be available on JioHotstar.