Junior hockey World Cup | Focus on Rohit and Co. as all set for junior World Cup

The biggest stage for the under-21 boys is here. So will be the pressure and expectations.

Of the 24 teams in the FIH junior men’s hockey World Cup beginning in Chennai and Madurai on Friday, the host will, undoubtedly, be at the centre of attraction.

The two-time champion (2001 & 2016) can’t complain much as it has had the best preparations coming into the competition.

As much as the Indian boys’, their head coach P.R. Sreejesh, too, will be under the radar for what he does and what he doesn’t.

In his first major assignment, the 37-year-old legendary India goalkeeper and two-time Olympic bronze medallist, appears ready for the challenge.

However, there are areas the Indian team should guard itself against. In the recently-concluded Sultan of Johor Cup in Kuala Lumpur, India could convert just eight of the 53 penalty corners it earned. Against Pakistan and Australia, it earned nine and eight PCs respectively, but converted only one.

Sreejesh said the focus at the camp in Chennai was more on defence. “It’s an area where we gave more stress because we cannot concede a lot of penalty corners. In a tournament like this, every team carries a minimum of three to four drag-flickers, who are very good, which will be harmful for us.”

Yes, seven-time champion Germany and former champion Australia are masters of the craft. In fact, in the previous edition in 2023, Germany’s clinical conversion of PCs played a big role in its title-win.

Ian Grobbelaar is the star drag-flicker for Australia. He played a key part in the team’s triumph in the Sultan of Johor Cup.

France, which ended runner-up in 2023, too, has prioritised penalty conversion this time. “We have a surprise or two in store for our opponents in PCs,” head coach Matthias Dierckens told the The Hindu.

Argentina, a two-time champion (2005 & 21), will be no pushover. The way it played its three practice matches against India in Chennai proved it can push any team hard. Four-time medallist the Netherlands will be itching for a podium finish.

Belgium (runner-up in 2016 to India) and Spain (third place in 2005 & 2023) will be tough competitors.

Amidst all the hullabaloo, Rohit and Co. looks prepared to go the distance.

Pool-A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa.

Pool B: India, Chile, Switzerland, Oman.

Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand.

Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Namibia, Spain.

Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, the Netherlands.

Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, South Korea.

Friday’s matches: In Chennai: Argentina vs Japan (1.15 p.m.); New Zealand vs China (3.30 p.m.); Oman vs Switzerland (5.45 p.m.); India vs Chile (8.30 p.m.). In Madurai: Germany vs South Africa (9 a.m.); Canada vs Ireland (11.15 a.m.); Spain vs Egypt (1.30 p.m.); Belgium vs Namibia (3.45 p.m.).