The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team is set to face off against World Number 2 Germany in the semi-finals of the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup 2023. The Indian team, the defending champions, has shown remarkable resilience in the tournament and remains unbeaten.
In their first game against arch-rivals Pakistan, India secured an exciting 3-3 draw. Captain Uttam Singh mentioned that the team's strong performance in that match boosted their confidence for the rest of the competition.
Following the draw against Pakistan, the Indian Colts defeated Malaysia 3-1 and New Zealand 6-2, finishing at the top of Pool B. This positioned them for a semi-final clash against Germany, a team they faced in the 4 Nations Tournament U21 Men in August and lost both matches by margins of 6-1 and 3-2.
Uttam Singh acknowledged the challenge presented by Germany, stating that although Germany is ranked second in the world and India is ranked third, the difference between the teams is not significant. He emphasized the importance of a positive mindset and playing to their strengths in the semi-final. The team has been working on bolstering its defense and strategies to beat Germany's full press.
India is determined to defeat Germany in the quest to defend the Sultan of Johor Cup title, as both teams will also participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2023. Captain Uttam Singh expressed the significance of a victory over Germany and called on Indian hockey fans for their continued support in the campaign.
(With Agency Inputs)
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