Indian junior men’s hockey team hopeful of good performance in World Cup

Indian junior hockey team vice-captain Arijit Singh Hundal said here on Saturday that the team’s morale is high after its good performance in the recent continental competition and it is hopeful of better results in the Junior World Cup starting in Kuala Lumpur from December 5. . The Indian team will play its first match in this competition against South Korea on December 5.

According to Hockey India’s release, Arijit said before the team’s departure, “The Indian team has progressed a lot after the last World Cup played in Bhubaneswar. We won the Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 and the Junior Asia Cup and recently finished third in the Sultan of Johor Cup,” he said, adding, “So we are capable of winning the Junior World Cup.” It is all about performing well at the right time.

India has been placed in Pool C along with Spain, Korea and Canada. Defending champions Argentina have been drawn in Pool A along with Chile, Australia and hosts Malaysia. Germany, France, South Africa and Egypt have been placed in Pool B, while Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium and Pakistan have been placed in Pool D. India finished fourth in the 2021 tournament played in Bhubaneswar, losing to France. After playing South Korea, 2016 champions India will face Spain on December 7 and Canada on December 9.

India will have to finish in the top two in Pool C to ensure passage to the quarter-finals. Captain Uttam Singh said that the Indian team is determined to forget the last disappointment and perform well. He said, “Last time we lost to France in the third place match but after that the team has performed well. We will take one match at a time and try to do our best. Hopefully this time we will be successful in getting a medal.