Jr Hockey World Cup: France Stun Defending Champions India 5-4 On Day 1

For India, vice-captain Sanjay also scored a hattrick, converting penalty corners in 15th, 57th, and 58th minutes after Uttam Singh had opened the scoring for the hosts in the 10th minute with a superb goal.

Players vie for ball during FIH Mens Junior Hockey World Cup 2021 match between India and France

Defending champions India started their campaign in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup on a disastrous note, going down 4-5 to lowly-ranked France on the opening day of the tournament at the Kalinga Stadium here.

It was a poor performance by the hosts as they took time to settle down, did not show good coordination in the attack, and allowed France the leeway to capitalise on counterattacks. But for goalkeeper Prashant Chauhan, who affected at least five good saves, India could have lost the match by a bigger margin.