Not many had pinned hope on the Indian women’s junior hockey
team to churn out a podium finish in the 2013 Junior Women’s World Cup, but the
girls chose to spring a mighty surprise in Monchengladbach, scooping a historic
bronze medal, brushing aside the belief that the sport has reached a moribund state.
Four months later, expectations are really high about the Indian junior men’s hockey team as they gird their loins for the 10th Hero Junior Men’s World Cup in their own backyard in New Delhi beginning Friday. The soaring confidence of the Manpreet Singh-led side doesn’t appear misplaced considering it comprises a bunch of players who have already played for the senior men’s team with distinction.
The Indian junior men’s team have been turning in a string of decent results in recent times. The colts had won the recent 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru, pipping hosts Malaysia at the post.
The same juniors wore the senior team jersey in the 3rd Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan where they gave a good account of themselves despite finishing fifth among six teams, even beating Malaysia 4-3 and running Pakistan close going down to them 3-4 in a needle contest.
Captain and midfielder Manpreet Singh may be just 21, but the manner in which he has delivered for the senior team often exudes an impression that he is a seasoned pro. The likes of Kothajit Singh, vice-captain Amit Rohidas, Mandeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh have acquitted themselves quite well in the senior team and the experience is surely going to give them the cutting edge over their opponents.
Coach Gregg Clark should count himself fortunate to have a talented group, who probably need some tactical guidance and fine-tuning to deliver. The South African, whose contract ends on the final day of the Junior World Cup, will be looking to leave a big impression in the marquee event.
The duo of Amit Rohidas, Kothajit Singh and drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh will shoulder the responsibility in defence, offering desired support to goalkeepers Sushant Tirkey and Harjot Singh. Both Amit and Gurjinder will also be called into action during the penalty corner exercises.
Gurjinder is known to unleash power-packed flicks, while Amit Rohidas has to do a lot to prove that drag-flick is his handy weapon besides his able defence skills. Sukhmanjit Singh is expected to provide the support cash in PC executions and can be used in indirect attempts.
Manpreet will look to guide his team-membersin the midfield. He will need support from the likes of Pardeep Mor, Satbir Singh, Imran Khan and Prabhdeep Singh if the home side are to play their natural game – dish out a free-flowing game and orchestrate extremely threatening counter-attacks.
The Indian forwardline has an exciting flavor to it. Nippy Mandeep Singh, who was the team's top goal-scorer in the Hockey World League semifinals in Rotterdam earlier this year, will pose the biggest threat to all teams. Ramandeep Singh, who capped off a sparkling senior international debut in the 9th Asia Cup, has shown signs of being an opportunistic player, who backs himself to translate even a half chance into a goal.
Akashdeep Singh, is another exciting young striker and together with Malak Singh will look to complement the ‘MR’ combo, if not overshadow them.
2009 runners-up Netherlands are India’s first opponent in the Junior World Cup. Interestingly, both teams were in the same group in the 2009 edition where India lost narrowly 2-3. For stats-minded, India did beat the Dutch 4-1 in the 2005 edition in Rotterdam and 4-3 in the quarterfinal en route to cornering glory at the 2001 edition in Hobart.
The bevy of so-called senior players in the Indian team definitely makes us strong contenders. Of course, one is not suggesting that India will win the World Cup, but yes, they have the team to upstage any team on any given day.
And when you have a strong home crowd vociferously rooting for you, everything is possible!
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