Bhubaneswar: India, the defending champions of the Junior World Cup Hockey, will take on Belgium today in the quarter finals of the FIH Odisha Junior World Cup Hockey being played at Kalinga Stadium Bhubaneswar. The Indian team had secured second position in their pool matches and reached quarter finals along with Belgium, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Argentina, France and Malaysia.
While the match between the junior teams seems to be a high pitched one, both the teams have their own strengths. The Indian team is counting on its attackers and drag flickers to get the better off Belgium in the quarter finals. Speaking to media ahead of the knockout encounter, India’s Chief Coach (Men) Graham Reid stated that the team’s real fight will begin on Wednesday against Belgium. “I feel the team has been learning from each match they have played so far and have gotten better with each day. In the last two games, particularly, we have started doing what we aim to do. But the real test begins tomorrow against Belgium,” Reid said.
Belgium have been unbeaten in the tournament so far, having won two games and drawn one in the group stage. Talking about India’s strategy for the match, Reid said: “One of our goals for tomorrow’s match will be to have a good start. The boys are upbeat. Hopefully, all the nerves would have been washed away in the last couple of games. I am more focused on making sure we are tight in defence at every moment in the game,” said Reid.
Comments are closed.