Indian hockey team ready to defend its title

Muscat, 7 December (Hindustan Reporter) The Indian junior women’s team is all set to compete at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman, as they aim to defend their title from last year. The tournament, to be held from 7 to 15 December 2024, will also serve as a qualifying event for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025, which will be held in Chile.

India will be led by coach Tushar Khandkar, captain Jyoti Singh and vice-captain Sakshi Rana. The team also includes players like Deepika, Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke, Sunelita Toppo and Mumtaz Khan, who have played for the senior team since last year’s title win and will guide the rest of the players during the tournament. Last year, India won the title for the first time by defeating South Korea 2-1 in the final.

India has been placed in Pool A and will face China, Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh. Pool B will include South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

Each team will face each opponent in its pool once and the top two teams from each pool will not only book a place in the semi-finals but will also make it to the FIH Junior World Cup next year. The third and fourth placed teams from each pool will compete for the final spot for the Junior World Cup.

Captain Jyoti Singh said, “We are excited to take the field and start the tournament on a strong note. It is going to be challenging to defend the title but I am sure the team will give their all and make our country proud. “This tournament is also very important because qualification for the Junior World Cup is at stake so we are doubly committed to bringing home the title again.”

Vice captain Sakshi Rana said, “The team has worked hard for the tournament and now it is time to perform. We have an experienced team with great talent and passion. We are confident that we can defend our title,”

The Indian junior women’s hockey team will play its first match against Bangladesh on 8 December. If India finish as one of the top two teams in Pool A then they will advance to the semi-finals which will be played on December 14.

The winners of both semi-finals will qualify for the final to be played on 15 December.