Is India Set to Begin Their FIH Jr Women’s World Cup Journey Against Namibia?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Captain Jyoti Singh leads the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team.
- The tournament features a historic 24-team format.
- The opening match is against Namibia.
- India aims to build momentum from the start.
- This is India's seventh appearance in the Junior Women’s World Cup.
Santiago, Nov 30 (NationPress) The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team is all set to embark on their journey at the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup in Santiago 2025, commencing on December 1 at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Chile.
Led by Captain Jyoti Singh, India will kick off their campaign against Namibia. This matchup is particularly thrilling as the two teams have not recently crossed paths in FIH competitions, making it a captivating start as India aims to shake off any initial nerves in this esteemed global event.
The team arrived in Santiago a week prior to acclimatize and finalize their preparations. This tournament is historic, marking the first time it features 24 teams, an increase from the previous format of 16 teams used until 2023.
Regarding the team’s readiness, Captain Jyoti Singh stated, "We came here a week early to kick off our preparations. The team has adapted well to the local environment, and the spirits are high. Our opening match is against Namibia, and we are looking to create momentum right from the start.
"The squad has been training with intense focus, and every player is eager to implement the strategies we've developed. We remain entirely dedicated to taking it one game at a time and showcasing our best hockey throughout the tournament."
The new 24-team format is divided into six pools. Pool A comprises hosts Chile, alongside Japan, Malaysia, and the Netherlands. Pool B contains Argentina, Belgium, Wales, and Zimbabwe. Pool C features Germany, India, Ireland, and Namibia. Pool D includes Austria, China, England, and South Africa. Pool E consists of Australia, Canada, Scotland, and Spain. Finally, Pool F encompasses New Zealand, South Korea, the USA, and Uruguay.
India is set to face Germany on Wednesday, December 3, followed by a clash against Ireland on Friday, December 5, in their concluding pool-stage matches.
This marks India's seventh participation in the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup, with their best performance being a bronze medal in 2013, when they triumphed over England in a nail-biting penalty shootout.