Have Argentina and Bangladesh Arrived in Chennai for the FIH Hockey Men's Jr. World Cup 2025?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bangladesh and Argentina arrive for the World Cup.
- The tournament features 24 teams from various countries.
- India aims to leverage home advantage as the host.
- Intensive training and international exposure prepare the teams.
- The event is scheduled from November 28th to December 10th.
Chennai, Nov 19 (NationPress) Bangladesh and the reigning champions Argentina have landed in Chennai for the esteemed FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, set to be held from November 28th to December 10th.
This remarkable event, featuring 24 teams, will be hosted in Chennai and Madurai. The host nation, India, arrived over the weekend. The team from Bangladesh reached on Tuesday, while Argentina made its arrival in Tamil Nadu's capital on Wednesday, heightening the anticipation for this significant tournament where Argentina seeks to defend its title.
Earlier, on Saturday, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team arrived in Chennai, gearing up for this eagerly awaited contest.
As two-time Junior World Cup Champions, India aims to capitalize on their home advantage to reclaim the prestigious title they last secured in 2016 in Lucknow.
The Indian squad finds itself in Pool B, competing against Chile, Switzerland, and Oman, led by the legendary former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and captain Rohit. The team is buoyed by a strong performance at the recent Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, where they clinched the silver medal.
Before the tournament, the junior team faced formidable international contenders at the Four Nations Tournament in Berlin earlier this year, followed by a European tour through Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. They have since undergone rigorous training during camps in Bengaluru and are now ready to showcase their talents on the global stage.
Initially, Pakistan was scheduled to compete in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland, but the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) withdrew its team after discussions with its government, leading to Oman stepping in to replace them in the draw.
Full draw:
Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland
Pool B: India, Oman, Chile, Switzerland
Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China
Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia
Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria
Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh