New Delhi. The Indian junior women’s hockey team is upbeat about the much-anticipated Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 as they eye their maiden title at the multi-nation event. Are. Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023, to be played in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan from 2-11 June 2023. The tournament will also serve as a qualifying event for the upcoming APIH Junior Women’s World Cup 2023.
Notably, the top three teams in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 will earn automatic qualification for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup 2023, which will be held from November 29 to December 10, 2023 in Santiago, Chile.
India, captained by Preeti and vice-captain Deepika, have been placed in Pool A along with Korea, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Chinese Taipei, while hosts Japan, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong China are in Pool B.
The Indian team has so far won one silver medal and four bronze medals in the seven editions of the tournament. And this time, the Indian junior women’s hockey team will aim to win its maiden gold medal.
Talking about the team’s preparation ahead of the tournament, skipper Preeti said, “We have worked hard over the last few months for this tournament and now we are ready to implement whatever we have worked on during the training sessions.” Also, the senior India team was also training with us at the same campus which helped us raise our game and also boosted our confidence.”
Meanwhile, India’s vice-captain Deepika said the team is excited to play against the best young teams in Asia and want to give their best.
“The Junior Asia Cup is a great opportunity for us to showcase our skills and test our mettle. We are looking forward to playing against some of the top teams in Asia. We have been consistent in the tournament over the years and We have won many medals, but this time we will leave no stone unturned to win gold, which will be our first in the history of the tournament. However, we will focus on qualifying for the Junior World Cup by finishing in the top three of the first tournament.”
The Indian team will start their campaign against Uzbekistan on 3rd June.
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