India junior hockey team flies to China for Junior Asia Cup 2026 prep
Synopsis
India's junior men's hockey team has landed in China for a three-match practice series against the hosts before the Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi — a deliberate two-city prep plan that follows a five-match Malaysia series and puts coach Frederic Soyez's squad on a tight, structured countdown to their 5 September opener against Indonesia.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team departed Bengaluru on 23 August 2026 for Dalian, Liaoning, China .
The squad will play three practice matches against the China Junior Men's team on 28, 30, and 31 August .
India travel to Moqi on 1 September 2026 for final tournament preparations.
India are placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Indonesia .
Their opening Junior Asia Cup 2026 match is against Indonesia on 5 September .
The Dalian camp follows a five-match friendly series against Malaysia in Bengaluru.
The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team departed Bengaluru on Sunday, 23 August 2026, bound for Dalian, Liaoning, China, kicking off the final preparatory phase ahead of the Junior Asia Cup 2026, to be held in Moqi, China. The squad is set to arrive in Dalian on Monday, 24 August, where a structured training and practice-match programme against the China Junior Men's team awaits.
Training Schedule in Dalian
The squad will hold its first session on 24 August, followed by two sessions on 25 August, and further sessions on 26 and 27 August. Three practice matches against China are scheduled on 28 August, 30 August, and 31 August, giving the team competitive match exposure before the continental tournament begins.
On 1 September 2026, the squad will travel from Dalian to Moqi to complete its final preparations on tournament ground.
Pool A Draw and Group Stage Fixtures
India have been placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Indonesia. Their group stage schedule is as follows:
5 September: India vs Indonesia — 09:00 Hrs
6 September: Japan vs India — 11:00 Hrs
8 September: Korea vs India — 09:00 Hrs
9 September: India vs Chinese Taipei — 09:00 Hrs
What the Coach Said
Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team head coach Frederic Soyez outlined the camp's objectives ahead of departure. 'This final training camp in Dalian will allow us to build on the work we have done over the past two months, particularly following our matches against Malaysia. We will have some training sessions on site and play three matches against China, which will allow us to complete our preparations,' Soyez said.
Build-Up and Context
The Dalian camp follows a recent five-match friendly series against Malaysia, played in Bengaluru, which served as an earlier preparatory block. The Junior Asia Cup represents one of the most competitive continental platforms for emerging talent, and a strong showing could influence selections for future senior-level programmes. India's structured two-city camp — Dalian for match practice, Moqi for acclimatisation — reflects a deliberate, phased approach to tournament readiness.
All eyes will be on the squad's opening Pool A clash against Indonesia on 5 September as India begin their Junior Asia Cup 2026 campaign.
Point of View
Moqi for acclimatisation — is a more structured pre-tournament block than Indian junior sides have typically had. Three matches against the hosts on Chinese soil addresses a real gap: India's junior teams have historically struggled with travel fatigue and unfamiliar conditions at Asian tournaments. Coach Soyez's explicit linkage of the Malaysia series to the Dalian phase suggests a continuity of method rather than ad hoc preparation. Whether that translates into Pool A results against Korea and Japan — the stiffer tests — will be the real measure.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India play its first match at Junior Asia Cup 2026?
India open their Junior Asia Cup 2026 campaign against Indonesia on 5 September at 09:00 Hrs in Moqi, China. They then face Japan, Korea, and Chinese Taipei in the group stage.
Why is the Indian junior hockey team training in Dalian before the Junior Asia Cup?
The team is using Dalian as a preparatory base to hold training sessions and play three practice matches against the China Junior Men's team before the tournament begins in Moqi. Coach Frederic Soyez said the camp will help the squad build on two months of prior preparation, including a five-match series against Malaysia.
Which pool is India in at the Junior Asia Cup 2026?
India have been placed in Pool A alongside Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Indonesia. Their four group-stage matches are scheduled between 5 and 9 September 2026.
Who is the coach of the Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team?
The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team is coached by Frederic Soyez, who outlined the Dalian camp's objectives ahead of the squad's departure from Bengaluru on 23 August 2026.
What was India's preparation before the Junior Asia Cup 2026?
India played a five-match friendly series against Malaysia in Bengaluru before departing for China. The Dalian training camp, featuring three matches against China, forms the final phase of preparation before the tournament in Moqi.
