Hockey: India Aims to Retain Title at Women's Junior Asia Cup in Oman
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Muscat, Dec 7 (NationPress) The Indian junior women’s hockey squad is primed to participate in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman, as they aim to defend their title from last year. The tournament, scheduled from December 7 to 15, also serves as a qualifying event for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025, which will be held in Chile.
Leading the team are coach Tushar Khandker, captain Jyoti Singh, and vice-captain Sakshi Rana. The roster includes players such as Deepika, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sunelita Toppo, and Mumtaz Khan, who have experience from last year’s title win and will guide the newer members during the tournament. In 2023, India triumphed over South Korea with a 2-1 victory in the final to secure the championship for the first time.
India is placed in Pool A and will compete against China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Pool B consists of South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.
Each team will face every opponent in their pool once, with the top two teams from each pool not only securing a semi-final spot but also a place in the FIH Junior World Cup next year. The teams finishing 3rd and 4th in each pool will contend for the final spot in the Junior World Cup.
“We are thrilled to step onto the field and commence the tournament robustly. Defending our title will be a challenge, but I am confident that the team will give their utmost to make our nation proud. This tournament is also crucial as qualification for the Junior World Cup is at stake, so we are doubly determined to reclaim the title,” expressed captain Jyoti Singh.
“The team has prepared diligently leading up to the tournament, and now it's time to showcase our skills. We possess an experienced team filled with talent and passion. We are optimistic about our chances of defending our title,” added vice-captain Sakshi Rana.
The Indian team will kick off their campaign with a match against Bangladesh on Sunday at 20:30 IST. If India secures a top-two finish in Pool A, they will advance to the semi-final, scheduled for December 14. The victors of both semi-finals will enter the championship match set for December 15.
