Captain Harmanpreet Singh on Friday stated that dealing with the formidable Australian crew on their residence turf will assist the Indian males’s hockey crew determine key areas for enchancment forward of this month’s Asia Cup, which additionally serves as a World Cup qualifier. The Indian crew departed within the early hours for Australia, the place they’ll play a vital four-match collection towards the hosts at Perth Hockey Stadium from August 15 to 21.
“Taking part in Australia of their residence circumstances is at all times a terrific problem, and that’s precisely what we want at this stage of our preparations,” Harmanpreet stated earlier than the crew’s departure. “We’re treating this collection as a key a part of our build-up to the Asia Cup. The main target is on bettering as a unit, testing ourselves towards robust opposition, and constructing the momentum we want heading into Rajgir,” he added.
“These matches will assist us pinpoint the areas that want sharpening earlier than the Asia Cup, and we’re excited in regards to the alternative to play high-intensity hockey towards a prime facet like Australia.” The tour is anticipated to supply helpful match publicity towards one of many world’s highest-ranked groups, giving the teaching employees an opportunity to fine-tune combos and consider participant type forward of the continental event.
The matches are scheduled for August 15, 16, 19, and 21. The squad contains a mix of skilled gamers and rising expertise and shall be carefully monitored as the ultimate group for the Asia Cup is finalised. The Asia Cup will start on August 29 in Rajgir, with the winner of the event incomes a direct berth.
Punjab assert dominance
In the meantime in Chennai, Hockey Punjab have been topped because the champions of the fifteenth Hockey India Sub Junior Males Nationwide Championship 2025 as they gained the ultimate of Division ‘A’ defeating Hockey Jharkhand 4-3 within the Last. The title conflict was a carefully contested closing, with each groups preventing until the ultimate whistle. Hockey Jharkhand began the second quarter strongly, scoring two back-to-back objectives via Ashish Tani Purti (21′) and Anish Dungdung (24′). Nevertheless, Hockey Punjab rapidly equalised with Akshit Salaria (29′) and Varinder Singh (30′) scoring in fast succession. Jharkhand’s Sukhu Guria (42′) tried to swing the sport in his crew’s favour, however a brace by Punjab’s Mandeep Singh (45′, 53′) sealed the deal for Hockey Punjab, crowning them champions.
The bronze medal match noticed Hockey Madhya Pradesh begin robust, taking a two-goal lead within the first half. Nevertheless, they have been outwitted by Uttar Pradesh Hockey within the closing two quarters, as Ali Shahrukh (42′, 47′, 51′) scored a hat-trick, supported by Mohd Atif Raynee (40′) and Prahalad Rajbhar (55′), who every scored a objective, main their crew to a 5-3 victory. The objectives for Hockey Madhya Pradesh have been scored by Aashir Aadil Khan (13′), Karan Gautam (20′), and Meezan Ur Rehman (58′).
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