The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey team is poised to commence their Europe tour in preparation for the upcoming international season. With Rohit at the helm and Shardanand Tiwari as Vice-Captain, the team will compete in matches across Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The tour is an integral part of Hockey India’s efforts to provide the team with valuable exposure and experience. Prince Deep Singh and Bikramjit Singh will lead the goalkeeping department, while the defensive lineup includes Shardanand Tiwari, Yogember Rawat, Anmol Ekka, Rohit, Manoj Yadav, and Talem Priyo Barta.
Ankit Pal, Roshan Kujur, Bipin Billavara Ravi, Mukesh Toppo, Manmeet Singh, and Vachan HA will command the midfield, with Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Arshdeep Singh, Gurjot Singh, Mohd Konain Dad, Dilraj Singh, and Gursewak Singh forming the forwards in the squad.
On May 20, the team will commence a series of matches against Belgium in Antwerp, Belgium, followed by another match against Belgium in Breda, Netherlands, on May 22. Subsequently, the team will face off against the Netherlands’ Club team Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda on May 23, and against Germany on May 28 in Germany. The tour will conclude with a match against Germany once again on May 29 in Breda.
Following a preparatory camp in Bengaluru, the team is now eager to test their strategies against formidable opponents. The tour holds immense significance for the squad as they strive to gain exposure and understand what works best for the team.
Expressing his thoughts, Captain Rohit stated, “Our primary objective will be to implement our strategies as a team and assess how we can refine them against strong opponents. We will also view it as an opportunity for each of us to pinpoint areas for personal development. It is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to gain valuable exposure heading into the season.”
Vice-Captain Shardanand Tiwari echoed the captain’s sentiments, remarking, “We have trained together extensively. We possess a deep understanding of each other’s game and know what needs to be done to bring out the best in each other. We will utilize this tour to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses and determine the best course of action for future endeavors.”
The team’s first match against Belgium is scheduled for May 20 at 20:30 hrs IST. All eyes are on the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey team as they prepare for an exciting and challenging tour of Europe.