Forty-four years ago, Pakistan claimed the inaugural Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup and has since struggled to take a second hold of it. The Germans, on the other end, have been the most successful team, having won the trophy on six occasions. They are hunting for the seventh now!
Defending champions Argentina, India, and Australia – widely known as gladiators of the sport in the last 50 years – will want to have a share of the action in the chase for glory.
The ‘Hunger Games’ have begun!
However, lurking dangerously in the shadows of Pakistan, is Germany, Australia, India, and Argentina in this 13th edition of the FIH’s most prestigious junior event while 11 other nations that have qualified on merit for the 16-nation JWC can be highly potent on a good day.
Malaysians can take confidence as hosts of the event and will enjoy strong fan-base support, including His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah, the King of Malaysia, in their opening Group A match against Chile tomorrow (Dec 5) at 8 pm.
The Young Tigers have for company Argentina, Australia, and Chile. Although coach Amin Rahim’s colts played impressive hockey in the Sultan of Johor Cup against Pakistan, India, and New Zealand, they will need to up the ante in the World Cup.
“Consistency is the key to our success,” said Amin in a recent press conference.
“My players were made to understand this situation, and they are now better prepared to play consistently for 60 minutes. And consistency is what will win us the first match against Chile, after which we will take one match at a time.”
India goes into the tournament as among the favorites to qualify for the quarterfinals from Group C before venturing any further. They have for company Spain, Canada, and South Korea.
The Indians have competed in 10 out of 12 World Cups and are the second most successful team having won in 2001 by defeating Germany 6-1 in the final, and in 2006.
For India’s captain Uttam Singh, the Kuala Lumpur Junior World Cup represents his final chance of winning a gold medal. As captain of the team, Uttam has vowed to wrest the trophy and present it to fans back home in appreciation of their support.
He led India to gold medals in the 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC), and Junior Asia Cup 2023, and a bronze medal in the 2023 SOJC.
India’s coach, C.K. Kumar, is optimistic about his young players crashing through the barricades against a strong field of European teams’ participating in their group.
The Australians broke Germany’s stranglehold on the Junior World Cup by winning the 1997 edition with a 3-2 win over India.
Argentina won the title in 2005 and repeated that feat in Bhubaneswar 2021 with a 3-2 win over Germany in the final. Team captain Inaki Minadeo is among the most outstanding players in the side. Coached by Juan Ignacio Gilardi, a defender and drag-flick specialist in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the ‘Little Lions’ face a litmus test against the Australians before going head-on against the Malaysians.
“I know we are the defending champions, but this is a new JWC for us. We are certainly not the favourites. Our victory in 2021 is now in the past. It is history. We have to play our best to win our matches. There are so many strong teams here. But I think we are well prepared, and with good performance, we hope we can do well in the tournament,” said Gilardi.
The Netherlands, ironically, have never won the JWC in 12 editions. The Dutch are the most ‘celebrated’ team on arrival. And head coach Jesse Mahieu’s team is determined to ensure that 2023 could be the year the Jong Oranje win their first men’s Junior World Cup title.
To the Malaysian fans, the Speedy Tigers are capable of staging the biggest performance at home and taking full advantage of their surroundings. They have come agonisingly close finishing fourth in 1979, 1982, and 2013.
Malaysia, Let’s make it happen in the 13th Men’s Junior World Cup!
