India Eye Winning Run Against Pakistan in Men's Junior Asia Cup Hockey

27.05.2023 - 16:01 sports.ndtv.com

India would look to continue their winning momentum after two commanding victories but they ill-afford to drop their guards when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in a Pool A match of the Men's Junior Asia Cup on Saturday.

India thrashed Chinese Taipei 18-0 in their opening match, before beating Japan 3-1. But they will have their first real test of the tournament in the form of a confident Pakistan who have also notched up resounding wins over Chinese Taipei (15-1) and Thailand (9-0).

India captain Uttam Singh said the two wins had instilled a lot of confidence in his team but admitted that the match against Pakistan will be a "close contest". "We have started the tournament on a strong note and we will look to continue with the same mentality against Pakistan.

Our first two wins have given us the confidence we needed to go through the tournament. Pakistan have a strong team as well and it will be a close contest," said Uttam on Friday.

hockey Run cup China Japan India Thailand Pakistan

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) accepted Pakistan's hybrid model for the Asia Cup, and announced on Thursday that the tournament will be held from August 31 to September 17. With India adamant on not travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not willing to move the entire tournament out of the country. After months of logjam, the release from the ACC confirmed that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model where Pakistan will host four matches while the remaining nine matches will take place in Sri Lanka.

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