After a nail-biting comeback victory against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023 quarterfinal, the Indian team is gearing up for a formidable challenge against Germany in the semifinals scheduled for Thursday.
The journey to the semifinals included a 4-2 win against Korea, a 4-1 loss to Spain, and a commanding 10-1 triumph over Canada, securing India a second-place finish in Pool C. The highlight, however, was India’s stunning 4-3 victory over the Netherlands, a European powerhouse ranked fourth globally.
Captain Uttam Singh, reflecting on the team’s ability to perform under pressure, stated, “Playing under pressure is something we’ve mastered. Whether it’s the Asia Cup Final against Pakistan or the Bronze Medal match in the Sultan of Johor Cup, we’ve played and won under pressure. Our experience, especially from the previous Junior World Cup, is a valuable asset.”
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Facing Germany for the fifth time this year, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team is eager to reverse their fortunes. Despite four previous defeats, Chief Coach expressed optimism, saying, “The players know that Germany isn’t unbeatable; it’s a matter of executing the plan.” Notably, the team lost to Germany 3-6 in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 and 2-4 in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021.
Captain Uttam Singh, the sole Asian team in the semifinals, exuded confidence, stating, “The dream of every player is to win the Final, and we’re working tirelessly towards that goal. We know the strengths and weaknesses of Germany after facing them multiple times. We don’t want to just participate; we want to win, and we play with that motivation.”
-IANS
