The defending champion Indian under-21 men's and women's hockey teams kick off their AHF Junior Asia Cup campaigns in Moqi, China, aiming to extend their dominant continental records.
The Indian under-21 men's and women's hockey teams are set to begin their AHF Junior Asia Cup campaigns on Friday in Moqi, China, both looking to defend their continental titles. The men's squad is aiming for a record-extending sixth trophy, while the women's team is chasing a hat-trick of titles after winning the previous two editions.
Mid-fielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu leads the Indian women's team, operating under head coach Tim White, who took over earlier this year. The squad's extensive preparations included a structured training program in Bengaluru and an exposure tour in the United Kingdom, where they competed against Scotland Senior Women, USA U-21, England U-21, and Belgium U-21.
Placed in the Elite Pool, the women start their schedule against South Korea on September 5, followed by group fixtures against Malaysia on September 6, Japan on September 8, and hosts China on September 9. Coach White noted that the squad has acclimatized well to the cooler conditions in Moqi, adding, "We feel our game is in good order and we are well prepared to play against the best teams in Asia."
The men's team enters the tournament as five-time champions, having won the last three editions. Defender Anmol Ekka captains the side alongside newly appointed head coach Frederic Soyez. The team's pre-tournament build-up featured a tour of Belgium against U-21 opposition from Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, home friendlies against Malaysia U-21 in Bengaluru, and a three-match series in Dalian against China, which concluded with an 8-2 Indian victory.
Competing in Pool A, the men's team opens its campaign against Indonesia on September 5, before taking on Japan on September 6, South Korea on September 8, and Chinese Taipei on September 9. Coach Soyez emphasized that the team's main expectation is to stay consistent, maintain a solid defensive structure, and elevate performance with each match.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.