Johor
The Indian junior men’s hockey team is ready to kick off the 12th Sultan of Johor Cup against Japan today, drawing motivation from their esteemed coach, PR Sreejesh. This marks Sreejesh’s first coaching role since retiring after the Paris Games in August, where he won two Olympic medals.
In their previous encounters, India has had the upper hand against Japan, winning 3-1 in the Junior Asia Cup in May 2023 and defeating them 5-1 during the 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup.
Team captain Amir Ali expressed enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, ‘The team has been training well under Coach Sreejesh, and we are excited to play our first tournament with him. After losing to Germany last time and failing to defend our title, we are now better equipped to face any team.’
Following the match against Japan, India will take on Great Britain on October 20, with subsequent games against Malaysia on October 22, Australia on October 23, and New Zealand on October 25. The team aims to secure a top-two finish in the group to advance to the final on October 26.
Vice-captain Rohit emphasized the team’s rigorous training and the excitement of new players ready to showcase their skills, fostering a supportive atmosphere in preparation for a busy schedule, including the Men’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat next month.
