Hockey India has announced a 40-player core probable group for the junior men’s national coaching camp, set to take place at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) from June 16 to August 18. This 63-day intensive training camp is designed to prepare the young athletes for future international challenges, following their recent European tour.
The Indian junior men’s team, which played five matches from May 20-29 against Belgium, Germany, and the Dutch club Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push, had mixed results during their European stint. They opened with a 2-2 draw against Belgium, clinching the match 4-2 in a shootout, but lost the second game 2-3.
A closely contested game against Bredase Hockey Vereniging ended in a narrow 5-4 defeat. Against Germany, the team was beaten 2-3 in the first match but secured a 1-1 draw in the second, winning 3-1 in the shootout to conclude the tour on a positive note.
Coach Janardhana CB, who will lead the camp, expressed optimism about the training period. “We have a talented group of players and the intensive training sessions will help them reach their full potential. Our goal is to develop a cohesive and formidable team ready to take on any challenge,” said Janardhana. The camp will be overseen by Hockey India’s high performance director Herman Kruis, ensuring that the young athletes receive top-notch training and guidance.
40-Member Core Probable Group
Goalkeepers:
– Prince Deep Singh
– Bikramjit Singh
– Ashwani Yadav
– Adarsh G
– Ali Khan
Defenders:
– Sharda Nand Tiwari
– Sukhvinder
– Amir Ali
– Rohit
– Yogember Rawat
– Manoj Yadav
– Anmol Ekka
– Prashant Barla
– Akash Sorong
– Sundaram Rajawat
– Anand Y
– Talem Priyo Barta
Midfielders:
– Ankit Pal
– Rosan Kujur
– Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang
– Mukesh Toppo
– Thokchom Kingson Singh
– Ritik Kujur
– Ankush
– Jeetpal
– Chandan Yadav
– Manmeet Singh
– Vachan HA
– Govind Nag
– Bipin Billavara Ravi
Forwards:
– Mohit Karma
– Sourabh Anand Kushwaha
– Araijeet Singh Hundal
– Gurjot Singh
– Mohd. Konain Dad
– Prabhdeep Singh
– Dilraj Singh
– Arshdeep Singh
– Mohd. Zaid Khan
– Gursewak Singh
The camp aims to refine the skills and strategies of these young players, fostering a strong team dynamic and preparing them for high-pressure international fixtures. The blend of rigorous training sessions and strategic planning is expected to bring out the best in these budding hockey talents.
During their European tour, the Indian junior men’s team displayed moments of brilliance but also faced challenges that highlighted areas needing improvement. The tour served as an essential learning experience, providing the team with exposure to high-level competition and diverse playing styles.
Here’s how they fared in these matches:
Belgium Matches:
– 1st Match: 2-2 (4-2 SO) Win
– 2nd Match: 2-3 Loss
Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push:
– Match: 4-5 Loss
Germany Matches:
– 1st Match: 2-3 Loss
– 2nd Match: 1-1 (3-1 SO) Win
With the upcoming camp, Hockey India is focused on building on these experiences to forge a resilient and tactically astute team. The aim is not only to enhance individual skills but also to ensure that the players can work effectively as a unit, thereby boosting India’s prospects in upcoming international tournaments.
