Malaysia dashed the hopes of defending champions India with a 2-0 victory to enter the final of the Junior Asia Cup hockey in Malacca on Thursday.
Seeking a hat-trick of titles, India commence their campaign against Sri Lanka in the seventh junior men's Asia Cup hockey tournament, at Malacca, Malaysia, from May 3 to 13. India is placed in Group B along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Sri Lanka and China, while Group A comprises Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Iran.
Both the Indian U-18 men's and women's hockey teams are set to compete in the semifinals of the Asia Cup. The men's team will face arch-rivals Pakistan, focusing on improving penalty corner execution, while the dominant women's team will take on China, aiming to continue their unbeaten run.
India lost 2-5 to China in a Group A league match of the sixth Junior Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok on Monday.
Brimming with confidence after three consecutive victories, India will have to guard against complacency when they take on hosts Malaysia, a side capable of springing surprises, in the semi-final of the ninth Asia Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Friday.
The Asia Cup winners will qualify for the 2026 Women's World Cup to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Hockey India has announced the Indian U-18 Men's and Women's squads for the upcoming home series against Australia, which will be held in Bhopal from May 15 to 20. The series is a crucial part of the teams' preparations for the U-18 Asia Cup in Japan.
P. R. Sreejesh has voiced his frustration after his contract as head coach of the India U-21 hockey team was not renewed, alleging Hockey India prefers foreign coaches despite his successful tenure.
The 23-year-old Salima has been an integral part of the team for a while after being appointed captain last year.
Poonam Rani will lead an 18-member Indian squad for the third Girls' Under-18 Asia Cup hockey, in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 16-25. India is placed in Pool B, with China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan. Pool A comprises Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Chinese Taipei.
Indian junior women's hockey team head coach Tim White has lauded the growing talent pool in the country's age-group national pathway during his scouting visit to the ongoing India-Australia U-18 exposure series in Bhopal. White emphasised the importance of building a strong connection between the youth tiers and the senior national team, aiming to develop players ready for world-class performance.
Satbir Singh scored four goals as India opened their campaign in the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament defeating neighbours Sri Lanka 11-0, in Malacca, Malaysia, on Friday.
An inspired India battered Oman 8-0 in the opening match of the Asia Cup on Saturday.
There is a regular pattern in the performance of the Indian hockey team -- they start getting sloppy after posting healthy leads early in matches.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party of allowing the ancestral house of eminent hockey player KD Singh 'Babu' in Barabanki to go on sale, asserting that his government intervened to prevent it.
India and Pakistan scored resounding victories over Singapore and Bangladesh to finish first and second respectively in their groups.
It was double delight for the Indian women's hockey team as they edged out Korea 3-2 to sail into the Asia Cup final, which also assured them a berth in the 2010 World Cup in Argentina.
Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has written to the Sports Ministry, SAI, and IOA, alleging institutional protection of sexual harassment and intimidation of women athletes within the sport. She claims she faced threats and a smear campaign after raising concerns about an individual, Sudhir Gola, and has accused Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh of threatening her. Singh denies the allegations, linking them to upcoming elections, while Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has acknowledged Lakra's concerns and promised an amicable resolution.
India conceded more than 100 penalty corners, including 17 in a game against Belgium across 16 Pro League matches.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday demanded blocking of live telecast of India-Pakistan match during the Asia Cup next month, citing national interest and public sentiment.
Manpreet Singh on Wednesday became India's most-capped hockey player with his 413th appearance for the country during the FIH Pro League match against Germany in Rotterdam.
India almost clinched the title round berth before Razie Rahim turned out to be Malaysia's saviour with a hat-trick in an enthralling 3-3 draw
Star Indian hockey players Hardik Singh and Salima Tete are among the nominees for the Hockey India Player of the Year awards, with the ceremony set to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian hockey.
India had beaten China 4-3 in their campaign opener on Friday.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has criticised Hockey India's decision to replace him as U-21 coach with a foreign appointment, despite his successful tenure.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India's decision to remove him as junior men's team coach after a successful 17-month tenure, questioning the organisation's preference for foreign coaches.
Baldev Singh, a hockey coach who transformed Shahabad Markanda into a hub for hockey talent, will be awarded the Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu on May 25.
India defeated China 4-1 in their last pool match to mantain a clean slate going into the quarterfinals of the junior men's Asia Cup hockey tournament, in Kuantan, on Tuesday.
'We haven't won the tournament for a while and the objective is to be No.1 in Asia and we will be pushing hard for the next 10 days.'
'In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India.'
Indian drag-flicker Deepika Sehrawat discusses her challenging journey back to hockey after a serious hamstring injury, her emotional struggles during rehabilitation, and her triumphant return as the joint top scorer in India's FIH Nations Cup victory.
India fought valiantly against higher-ranked China before going down by a solitary goal in their second Pool A match of the eighth Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Unbeaten India looked the most convincing team in the tournament so far but the dangerous and defensive Koreans came tantalisingly close to register a stunning win over the Manpreet Singh-led side.
'Engaging with Pakistan at this stage sends out a message that undermines the sentiments of the people of India who stand firmly against any compromise on national security.'
India took control of the match very early and converted their dominance into a goal in the seventh minute through Deepika who deftly converted a penalty corner with a neat flick to give her team the lead.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India for allegedly favouring foreign coaches over Indian talent, despite his successful tenure with the junior men's team. Hockey India has rejected the claims.
Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has publicly criticised Hockey India for allegedly favouring foreign coaches over Indian coaches, despite his successful tenure with the junior men's team. Hockey India has rejected Sreejesh's claims.
Pakistan will send their hockey team to India to participate in the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup to be held in November-December, said Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh.
But at the end of the day, the Indians came out superior and continued their recent domination over Pakistan that includes back-to-back victories in the Hockey World League Semi-Final in London earlier this year.
Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur were named Hockey India Player of the Year in the men's and women's categories, respectively, at a ceremony in New Delhi. Several other players, officials, and member units were also recognised for their contributions to Indian hockey.
