Two-time champions India will look to make a successful start against Asian rivals Korea in their pursuit of one other podium end in the FIH men’s Junior World Cup hockey event beginning right here on December 5.
India have gained the event twice, in 2001 in Hobart and 2016 in Lucknow, in addition to ending runners-up as soon as in Milton Keyes, England in 1997.
In the final version of the occasion in Bhubaneswar two years again, the Indians completed fourth and they might be hoping to clinch their fourth podium on the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil right here.
India are positioned in a comparatively simple Pool comprising Canada and Spain in addition to Korea.
After Korea, India will play Spain on Thursday and Canada on Saturday.
Pool A consists of defending champions Argentina, Australia, Chile, and Malaysia, whereas Pool B has Egypt, France, Germany and South Africa. Pool D is the hardest of the lot as Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand and Pakistan shall be vying for a quarterfinal berth.
The high two groups from every pool will qualify for the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals, semifinals and closing are scheduled for December 12, 14 and 16 respectively.
Under ahead Uttam Singh’s captaincy, the Indians could be brimming with confidence as they’ve a greater head-to-head report against Korea. Out of the six matches performed between the 2 groups, India have gained three, Korea two and one match ended in a draw.
The final time each the groups confronted one another was throughout the semifinal of the men’s Junior Asia Cup earlier this yr, the place India registered an enormous 9-1 win over Korea.
India skipper Uttam too sounded assured forward of their marketing campaign opener.
“The wait is finally over for the World Cup, and we are very much confident of a good start. We recently played against Korea, so we are aware of the challenge but the focus will be on us, on executing our plans and playing good hockey,” he stated.
Uttam has the expertise of the massive stage as he was a part of the Indian workforce that completed fourth in the final version of the event in Bhubaneswar.
“As always, our focus has been to go match by match, and our priority is to get a winning start and then focus on the following matches to proceed to the next stage of the tournament,” he stated.
India coach C R Kumar stated they’re absolutely ready however will not take issues without any consideration.
“The players have worked hard, and are fully prepared for the tournament. Korea are a quality side, you can’t take them lightly.
“We must respect each opponent, it’s a greater stage, so we must be cautious and again our strengths to get start in the event,” he stated.
