Bhubaneswar: The junior Hockey World Cup will kick off today inside the bio-bubble at Bhubaneswar, with host India hoping to defend the title, which they won five years ago in Lucknow. The country’s junior squad will face France in Kalinga Stadium to defend the championship on November 24.
Although the Indians may be affected by the absence of spectators, their seniors’ support and presence should cheer them up and help them earn a victory in their first encounter. Furthermore, with prominent teams such as New Zealand, England, and Australia withdrawing due to Covid difficulties, the host squad will have their work cut out for them as they begin their campaign.
The squad will be led by Vivek Sagar Prasad, who hopes to make the most of his experiences as a member of India’s Olympic team by assisting the juniors with what he has learned. “I learnt from the big stage how to keep the team together and I’m looking to implement it here also. It’s always team first. Also, it’s important to stay together off the field as well”, said, the 21-year-old Vivek at the pre-match virtual conference on Tuesday.
Men’s main coach Graham Reid will guide the squad, and he will be looking to add another feather to his crown after helping India win an Olympic gold after a 41-year drought. While the coach does not want to underestimate their first opponents, France’s young squad finished second in the 2013 World Cup in New Delhi after losing in the Summit Clash against Germany.
On the other side, France’s coach claimed that their squad is youthful, but that playing in India has benefited France in the past, and that it may do so again this time.
Despite all of this, it shouldn’t be too tough a task for the Indian team, who are placed in Group A along with Canada along with Canada and Poland apart from France.
Germany, who play Pakistan on Wednesday, have won the event six times and are the other favourites apart from Netherlands and Argentina. Pakistan, who are taking part in the event after missing out five years ago, as always will be the dark horses.
