Is the India 'A' Men's Hockey Team Ready for Europe?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India 'A' men's hockey team embarks on a European tour.
- Scheduled from July 8 to 20, they will play eight matches.
- Matches include opponents like Ireland and France.
- The tour aims to enhance talent development for the national team.
- International exposure is crucial for young players.
Bengaluru, July 5 (NationPress) The India 'A' men's hockey team departed for Eindhoven, Netherlands on Saturday morning, embarking on their Tour of Europe, which is set to occur from July 8 to 20.
Under the leadership of captain Sanjay and vice-captain Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, India 'A' will engage in a total of eight matches across three cities in Europe. The team is scheduled to face Ireland, France, and the Netherlands twice in Eindhoven, while they will compete once against England and Belgium in Amstelveen and Antwerpen, respectively.
These encounters are anticipated to evaluate the players' depth and preparedness as the national team aims to cultivate a robust talent pool for the senior squad. Captain Sanjay expressed, “This tour will serve as an excellent testing ground for us to identify our strengths and weaknesses. With a balanced mix of experienced and young players, we are eager to measure our standing through this competitive exposure. Such international experiences will fortify our primary team’s future, contributing to a well-rounded bench strength over time.”
Vice-captain Moirangthem remarked, “The tour will allow our team to grasp the varied dynamics and intensity of competing against elite European teams. This exposure will enable some of our younger players to experience hockey at a significantly different pace compared to what they encounter in India. We aim for this exposure to benefit both our current squad and the next generation of players in the long run.”
Through this European tour, Hockey India aspires to enhance the talent pool for the Indian men's national team while offering essential international match experience to the future stars of Indian hockey. The inaugural match between India 'A' and Ireland is scheduled for July 8 at 21:30 IST.