5 months ago
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The biggest signifier for the under-21 boys is here. So volition beryllium the unit and expectations.
Of the 24 teams successful the FIH inferior men’s hockey World Cup opening successful Chennai and Madurai connected Friday, the big will, undoubtedly, beryllium astatine the centre of attraction.
The two-time champion (2001 & 2016) can’t kick overmuch arsenic it has had the champion preparations coming into the competition.
As overmuch arsenic the Indian boys’, their caput manager P.R. Sreejesh, too, volition beryllium nether the radar for what helium does and what helium doesn’t.
In his archetypal large assignment, the 37-year-old legendary India goalkeeper and two-time Olympic bronze medallist, appears acceptable for the challenge.
However, determination are areas the Indian squad should defender itself against. In the recently-concluded Sultan of Johor Cup successful Kuala Lumpur, India could person conscionable 8 of the 53 punishment corners it earned. Against Pakistan and Australia, it earned 9 and 8 PCs respectively, but converted lone one.
Sreejesh said the absorption astatine the campy successful Chennai was much connected defence. “It’s an country wherever we gave much accent due to the fact that we cannot concede a batch of punishment corners. In a tourney similar this, each squad carries a minimum of 3 to 4 drag-flickers, who are precise good, which volition beryllium harmful for us.”
Yes, seven-time champion Germany and erstwhile champion Australia are masters of the craft. In fact, successful the erstwhile variation successful 2023, Germany’s objective conversion of PCs played a large relation successful its title-win.
Ian Grobbelaar is the prima drag-flicker for Australia. He played a cardinal portion successful the team’s triumph successful the Sultan of Johor Cup.
France, which ended runner-up successful 2023, too, has prioritised punishment conversion this time. “We person a astonishment oregon 2 successful store for our opponents successful PCs,” caput manager Matthias Dierckens told the The Hindu.
Argentina, a two-time champion (2005 & 21), volition beryllium nary pushover. The mode it played its 3 signifier matches against India successful Chennai proved it tin propulsion immoderate squad hard. Four-time medallist the Netherlands volition beryllium itching for a podium finish.
Belgium (runner-up successful 2016 to India) and Spain (third spot successful 2005 & 2023) volition beryllium pugnacious competitors.
Amidst each the hullabaloo, Rohit and Co. looks prepared to spell the distance.
Pool-A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa.
Pool B: India, Chile, Switzerland, Oman.
Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand.
Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Namibia, Spain.
Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, the Netherlands.
Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, South Korea.
Friday’s matches: In Chennai: Argentina vs Japan (1.15 p.m.); New Zealand vs China (3.30 p.m.); Oman vs Switzerland (5.45 p.m.); India vs Chile (8.30 p.m.). In Madurai: Germany vs South Africa (9 a.m.); Canada vs Ireland (11.15 a.m.); Spain vs Egypt (1.30 p.m.); Belgium vs Namibia (3.45 p.m.).
