The Junior World Cup beginning on December 6 could be India’s chance to revive their fortunes in hockey. The squad headed by coach Gregg Clark will face the last edition’s runners-up, the Netherlands, in the first match.
“To replicate India’s golden history you’ve got to start somewhere... maybe this World Cup is the place for it to begin,” said Clark before the team’s first practice match against England, which they won 4-1.
Defending champions Germany, fielding the youngest team in the tournament according to coach Andre Henning, feel India are one of the most experienced sides in the U-21 event. “That’s music to my ears,” said Clark laughing. “Holland and Germany have a lot of experienced people in their coaching and management staff. We had some strong performances and results when we toured Europe earlier this year. Based on that they realise they have to pay attention to us as a team.”
Though support for the home team will not exactly amuse the Dutch players, they will aim to start with a win. Coach Sjoerd Marijne said: “India is a good team. So it will be difficult against a home team. We played India this summer, lost twice and drew once.”
Clark feels the Junior World Cup could be the stepping stone for India to regain lost glory. “To play without the pressure of the senior circuit and being at a tournament where so many different styles of hockey are played will help the boys.”
Gurjinder Singh has recovered from injuries and is training well under senior player and drag-flicker Sandeep Singh. While Manpreet Singh has done well as skipper, his presence with the reticent Kothajit Singh is inspiring players like midfielder Imran Khan. In the practice match against England, the trio executed their skills with focus.
Gurjinder, however, needs accuracy. Clark said: “We are going to make sure he hits his targets. The speed should be good enough to beat the goalkeeper if he gets it within the post.” Clark is keeping his combination secret.
Dutch coach Marijne has a word of caution for the teams. He feels the U-21 lot can be unpredictable. “Under this age group, players can either hit a high performance level or can go low.”
Marijne is looking forward to the German challenge in the latter stages. “They don’t and won’t give a lot. The Belgians have trained with the national team and that’s a huge advantage for them. The Koreans (Holland will face them in group matches) – when they are structured – do very well.”
Even world champions feel the jitters. Placed with Pakistan and Belgium in group A, Germany won’t swim to safety easily. To clinch it for a sixth time, the Germans are resorting to a mix of perfection and discipline. Their practice session was focussed on individual perfection and variations.