Head coach Graham Reid on Monday stated enjoying warm-up matches in opposition to the senior hockey workforce within the absence of abroad competitors was a “valuable preparation” for the Indian workforce forward of the FIH Junior World Cup.
The match is to be held from November 24 to December 5 on the Kalinga Stadium right here. India will enter this match because the defending champions.
“While we didn’t have overseas competition, the teams played a few practice games against the senior team in Bhubaneswar which were quite valuable. We have got used to the stadium since we reached Bhubaneswar,” Reid stated.
“The Kalinga Hockey Stadium is really iconic. It is good that we are training here before we start,” he added on the workforce’s preparations.
Defending champions India are positioned in Group B together with Canada, France and Poland, who got here to town final week. India’s junior workforce, led by Vivek Sagar Prasad, wish to retain the coveted trophy as they take heart stage at their house turf.
Vivek, who was part of India’s historic bronze medal-winning efficiency on the Tokyo Olympics, stated, “Our team became champions in 2016 and now our team aims to continue the same performance.”
The stage is ready because the 16 taking part groups put together to combat it out for the highest honors on the FIH occasion. All 4 groups of their respective swimming pools will intention to complete within the prime half of their pool, as the highest two groups from every pool will qualify for the quarter-finals.
European giants Belgium will face Malaysia, Chile and South Africa in Pool A. “Definitely, India will be a force to be reckoned with at home playing to their qualities,” Belgium coach Jeroen Bart stated on arrival.
Speaking on the prospect of enjoying on the Kalinga Stadium, Malaysia head coach Wallace Tan stated, “Our workforce may be very excited to play on the Kalinga Stadium as it’s a very giant and revered stadium.
“Many big tournaments have been held here, and many legends have played here, so it will be an honor to play here.”
South Africa coach Sihle Natuli picked Belgium because the hardest workforce within the group stage. “In our group, we now have Malaysia, Belgium and Chile. I believe Belgium will probably be our hardest opponent. They are previous finalists, so we all know it is going to be a tricky recreation. But we additionally really feel that every one the matches will probably be troublesome.
The Netherlands, Spain, Korea and the United States will face one another in Pool C. “We have never played in such a big stadium. It’s a shame that people can’t come and watch the game. We are very excited to play here at the Kalinga Stadium,” stated Netherlands captain Silas Legman.
Germany, Pakistan, Egypt and Argentina will face one another in Pool D. Pakistan’s head coach Danish Kalim praised the Odisha state authorities for working in the direction of rising the recognition of hockey internationally.
“I’m very pleased with the work achieved by the Odisha State Government and Honorable Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik to advertise hockey internationally. We are excited to compete within the match as it can assist improve the recognition of the game.”
Belgium will face South Africa within the first match of the match on Wednesday. India will begin its marketing campaign in opposition to France on the identical day.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
