Defending champions India will begin their title defence in the men’s and women’s sections of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in China from September 4 to 13.
The Indian junior women’s team has won the last two editions of the tournament and will be led by midfielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu. The side has undergone an extensive training programme under newly appointed coach Tim White, who took charge earlier this year.
As part of their preparations, an extended squad undertook an exposure tour of the United Kingdom, playing seven matches against Scotland Senior Women, USA U-21, England U-21 and Belgium U-21.
The tour provided the players with international match experience and helped sharpen their tactical understanding and match readiness ahead of the continental tournament.
“Our first game is against South Korea on Saturday, so we are preparing for that. The team has acclimatised well. The weather is a bit cooler (in Moqi), but conditions are good, and we are really looking forward to Match 1,” White said.
” In terms of our expectations, we prepared well in Bengaluru over a number of months, including a tour of the UK and some games against a combined team. We feel our game is in good order and we are well prepared to play against the best teams in Asia. We are looking forward to seeing how our game plan is going to stand up against the best teams. I am sure the girls will do India proud,” he added.
India, placed in the Elite Pool, will open their campaign against South Korea on September 5. They will then face Malaysia on September 6, Japan on September 8 and hosts China on September 9.
The Indian junior men’s team will also enter the tournament as defending champions. India have won the continental title five times, including the last three editions.
Defender Anmol Ekka will captain the side, with newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez beginning his tenure with the tournament.
The men’s squad prepared extensively, including through an exposure tour of Belgium, where it played strong U-21 teams from Austria, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
The team also played a series of home friendlies against Malaysia U-21 in Bengaluru before facing hosts China in a three-match series in Dalian.
“Our progression has been quite good. The last game against China was very positive,” Soyez said. “It gave our confidence a huge boost heading into the tournament. We spent one week in Dalian, getting used to the conditions in China, before arriving in Moqi ahead of our opening match against Indonesia on Saturday.”
“Our main expectation from this tournament is to keep progressing and become more confident and consistent, maintain solid defensive structure and raise our level of performance with every match,” he added.
India will begin their Pool A campaign against Indonesia on September 5, followed by matches against Japan on September 6, South Korea on September 8 and Chinese Taipei on September 9.
With both teams arriving as defending champions after extensive preparation, the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 will provide India’s emerging hockey talent with an opportunity to compete against the continent’s leading teams and gain valuable international experience.
(IANS Inputs)
