Bhubaneswar : , India, the defending champions, has finished second in their preliminary group after a loss to France in their first match.They will now face Belgium in the quarter-finals at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup here on Wednesday.
This match could decide their fate in the event.They will be advancing to the semi-finals if they win, while defeat would end their defense of the title India won at home in 2016. Belgium is ranked first in the World in Junior Rankings, while India is fifth.The Red Devils are unbeaten in this event so far, though being held to draw by Malaysia is a setback they will have to overcome in their match against India.
India, on the other side, have bounced back well from the 4-5 defeat against France and beat Canada (13-1) and Poland (8-2).
All these factors make it a formidable challenge for India to take on Belgium in the crucial last-eight match.
Belgium is a compact team.As India’s chief coach Graham Reid stated, it is in their DNA to move the ball quickly and with ability and confidence.
They are quick to counter-attack and can convert penalty corners well, which is a challenge for any team.
Reid stated, “But there are also vulnerabilities (in Belgium’s play) that Malaysia has exploited and that I am confident that my team will be in a position to try those.”
India will be without Maninder Singh, a key midfielder who was injured in the match against Poland.He has not fully recovered.
Bobby Singh, Coach Reid stated, will replace Maninder Singh.He will be partnered with Vivek Sagar Prasad as the midfield manager.
The Indian team has a strong forward-line that is aggressive and a lot of drag flickers.India’s most successful forwards have been Uttam and Araijeet Singh Hundal, who scored five and four goals each.Hundal has scored both field goals as well as off penalty corners.India will rely on Hundal and Sanjay to do most of the scoring.
Sharda Nand Tuwari is another one who has been successful in his penalty corners.
The Indians must be careful not to concede early goals, as they did against France.
They also need to ensure that they defend deep and prevent Belgium from taking control of the midfield.
Coach Reid acknowledged that his boys would need to remain calm and composed throughout the match.
They should also play with discipline and not take too many cards, as they did against Poland.
The win by India against Belgium in the final at Lucknow 2016 edition will give hope to the hosts.Despite being two different teams.”It is a boost to be defending champions, but it is not much.Every tournament is unique.It doesn’t matter how you play on the day.What matters is how you feel about yourself.
India has a slight advantage in head-to-head.
They have won four of five matches against Belgium in U-21.
On Wednesday, six-time champions Germany will face European rivals Spain and the Netherlands.
They are looking to win their first Junior World Cup title.France will face Malaysia in the third quarter-final.
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