New Delhi
The pools for the FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 were unveiled at a ceremony in Salalah, Oman. India has been placed in Pool B, alongside Egypt, Switzerland, and Jamaica for the inaugural edition of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from January 24 to January 31, 2024, in Muscat. India secured their qualification for the World Cup by winning the inaugural Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup, where they defeated Pakistan 4-4 (2-0 SO) in the final. Mandeep Mor, who captained the Indian team during the Asia Cup, emphasized that India would not underestimate any opponent and would thoroughly prepare for the tournament. He mentioned the importance of studying their opponents’ match footage to understand their playing style. The tournament features 16 nations divided into four groups of four teams each. The Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, and Nigeria are in Pool A, while Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kenya are placed in Pool C. Hosts Oman will compete against Malaysia, the United States, and Fiji in Pool D. India’s journey to winning the Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup included victories over Bangladesh, Oman, and Malaysia, and a thrilling shootout win against Pakistan in the final. Mor highlighted their ability to maintain composure in tough situations during the competition and the team’s growth as a unit. The inaugural FIH Men’s Hockey5s World Cup promises strong competition, and India aims to perform well and compete for the title. Mor stressed that they would focus on their game plans to achieve positive results in the tournament. The Men’s Hockey5s Asia Cup showcased India’s talent and determination, and they will carry this confidence into the World Cup as they aim to become the first-ever World Champions in this format of the game.
