Reid: Jr hockey world cup: We must be calm, composed, and at our best to beat Belgium, says Reid

Bhubaneswar : While Indian hockey players were at their best in the quarter-final against Belgium in FIH Odisha Hockey Mens Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, coach Graham Reid acknowledged that the Indian players need to be calm and composed throughout the match so that their opponents dont have many chances." India were expected to face Belgium in the semi-finals, but a loss to France in their first match resulted them finishing second in Pool A and now they will meet the Red Lions in Round 8.

The Indians will need to be patient and not get frustrated against a team like Belgium that can move the ball quickly and defend deep.Reid stated that it is much more difficult to get young players to be patient than for the senior players.

Reid coached them to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games just a few months ago.Young boys dont naturally have the ability to be patient.These kids want things to happen.

We try to instill patience, discipline, and the ability to move the ball around.Its not easy to keep the flow going, but its possible.

Reid stated during a Tuesday virtual press conference that Belgiums players have patience because it was ingrained in their genes as children.He stated that his boys would have to exploit the weaknesses in Belgiums game just as Malaysia did during a preliminary match and held them to draw "You can see that the DNA is passed down from the senior team.

The senior team is the worlds number 1.There are some weaknesses that Malaysia has exploited, and we will try to do the exact same.Reid said that the team that can play their natural game will win, although he acknowledged that it would be difficult for his players.

When asked if his players would gain anything from the fact that India beat Belgium to win the Junior World Cup in Lucknow 2016, he replied, "Yes." "No one can remember winning or losing, but when you win, the memories last forever.

" Reid said that it was a different team that beat Belgium in Lucknow that day.Reid was asked if the lack of local support, as the match will not be played in full crowd at the Kalinga Stadium, will affect the players.He said that there will be some support for Indians.

"It was stated that some spectators would be allowed at the quarter-final stage.I dont know where that went.

Reid said that Reid noticed that there were many volunteers and academy boys at matches, supporting the boys.bs #Reid #hockey #world #calm #Belgium.