The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team is set to participate in a four-nation tournament in Rosario, Argentina, scheduled from May 25 to June 2. The team will play six friendly matches against Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, according to a release by Hockey India.
India will kick off the tournament with back-to-back matches against Chile and Uruguay on May 25 and 26, respectively. After a rest day, they will face hosts Argentina on May 28. The return leg will follow the same sequence, with India taking on Chile on May 30, Uruguay on June 1, and Argentina on June 2.
This tour serves as a key preparatory step for the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup, slated to be held in Santiago, Chile, in December.
Speaking about the significance of the tournament, Head Coach Tushar Khandker said, “We are preparing for the Junior World Cup later this year, and this Four Nations tour is crucial for identifying the best talent in the squad. Our goal is to gain valuable international experience and evaluate our progress based on past performances.”
When asked about the opponents, Khandker added, “Every international match—whether it’s a tour, bilateral series, test match, or tournament—is an opportunity to represent India. Our focus will be on executing our strategies effectively and providing the girls with ample match experience to build their confidence ahead of the World Cup.”
The Indian team is scheduled to depart for Rosario on May 21 to acclimatize and prepare for the tournament.
(With ANI inputs)