Will the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team Excel Against Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands?

Synopsis
The Indian Junior women's hockey team embarks on a crucial European tour from June 8 to 17, facing formidable teams like Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands. With recent successes in Argentina, this tour is vital for their preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team embarks on a significant European tour.
- They will face strong teams: Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands.
- Preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 is a key focus.
- Recent performances in Argentina have boosted team morale.
- High-caliber matches will enhance tactical and technical skills.
New Delhi, June 7 (NationPress) The Indian Junior women’s hockey team is gearing up for an exciting five-match European tour from June 8 to 17, where they will compete against Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands. After a successful outing at the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina, the team is now poised for the next phase of their international journey.
The tour will kick off with three matches against Belgium at the Hockey Center of Excellence, located at Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp. Following this, they will face off against Australia at the Beerschot Tennis Hockey Padel Club in Kontich, before concluding the tour with a match against the Netherlands at Hockey Club Kampong in Utrecht.
In Argentina, the Indian squad showcased impressive performances against strong teams. They recorded a 2-1 victory and a 2-2 (2-3 SO) loss against Chile, achieved a 1-1 (2-0 SO) draw and a 2-4 defeat against the hosts, Argentina, and triumphed over Uruguay twice with scores of 3-2 and 2-2 (3-1 SO). This tour is a significant milestone in the team's preparations, providing essential lessons in managing high-pressure situations and adapting to various playing styles.
Importantly, these matches are crucial as part of India’s preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025, set to take place in Santiago, Chile, in December 2025. Competing against formidable international opponents under varying conditions will enhance the squad’s synergy, cultivate match temperament, and build the confidence necessary for success on the global stage.
Before the European tour, Indian junior women’s hockey team coach Tushar Khandker remarked, “This extended tour is an excellent opportunity for our team. We had a valuable learning experience in Argentina, and now moving straight into matches against Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands will allow us to build on that momentum. These are high-caliber teams that will test our tactical and technical depth, as well as our consistency. For many of these players, this is a critical phase in their development, and such tours provide exposure that cannot be replicated in training alone.”
“Most importantly, this tour plays a pivotal role in our preparations for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 later this year. Every match we play now is a step closer to being ready for that challenge,” he added.