Head coach Graham Reid on Monday said playing warm-up matches against the senior hockey team in the absence of overseas competition was an “invaluable preparation” for the Indian team ahead of the FIH Junior World Cup. The tournament is to be held from November. 24 to 5 December at the Kalinga Stadium here. India Will enter the meeting as 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. Since reaching Bhubaneswar, we have got used to the stadium,” Reid said. “The Kalinga Hockey Stadium is really iconic. It’s good that we are training here before we start,” he added on the team’s preparations.
Defending champions India are placed in Group B along with Canada, France and Poland, who came to the city last week.
India’s junior team, led by Vivek Sagar Prasad, would like to retain the coveted trophy as they take center stage at their home turf.
Vivek, who was a part of India’s historic bronze medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics, said, “Our team became champions in 2016 and now our team aims to continue the same performance.”
The stage is set as the 16 teams participating in the FIH event prepare to fight it out for the top honours.
All four teams in their respective pools will aim to finish in the top half of their pool, as the top two teams from each 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 said on arrival.
Speaking on the prospect of playing at the Kalinga Stadium, Malaysia head coach Wallace Tan said, “Our team is very excited to play at the Kalinga Stadium as it is a very large and respected 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 as the toughest team in the group stage.
“In our group, we have Malaysia, Belgium and Chile. I think Belgium will be our toughest opponent. They are past finalists, so we know it will be a tough game. But we also feel that all the matches will be difficult.”
The Netherlands, Spain, Korea and the United States will face each other 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 be playing here at the Kalinga Stadium.”
Germany, Pakistan, Egypt and Argentina will face each other in Pool D.
Pakistan’s head coach Danish Kalim praised the Odisha state government for working towards increasing the popularity of hockey across the world.
“I am very happy with the work done by the Odisha State Government and Honorable Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik to promote hockey across the world. We are excited to compete in the tournament as it will help increase the popularity of the sport.”
Belgium will face South Africa in the first match of the tournament on Wednesday. India will start its campaign against France on the same day.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire,
,