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The Indian junior men's hockey team faced a narrow 2-3 defeat against Germany in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire on their ongoing Europe tour. The match, played in Breda, Netherlands, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams.The first quarter witnessed a flurry of action, with both sides creating opportunities through penalty corners. However, neither team managed to break the deadlock, leaving the score at 0-0.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead with a well-executed field goal five minutes in. Undeterred, India responded with a penalty corner goal from defender Yogember Rawat, leveling the score at 1-1.India continued to press forward in the third quarter, earning another penalty corner. Forward Gurjot Singh made no mistake, putting India ahead 2-1. However, Germany refused to give up and equalized just minutes later with a penalty corner of their own.The final quarter was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for the winning goal. India had a chance to regain the lead early on but failed to convert a penalty corner. As the clock ticked down, Germany was awarded a penalty corner in the dying moments. They capitalized on the opportunity, scoring the winning goal and sealing a 3-2 victory.Despite the defeat, the Indian junior men's hockey team displayed commendable spirit and determination throughout the match. They will look to end their Europe tour on a high when they face Germany once again in their final match on Wednesday.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian men's hockey team to a thrilling 5-4 victory over Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Antwerp. Singh's sensational hat-trick proved decisive in the hard-fought encounter.India made a strong start, dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities. Araijeet Singh Hundal opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a brilliant field goal. However, Argentina responded quickly, with Federico Monja leveling the score just two minutes later.India regained the lead in the 18th minute through Gurjant Singh's excellent field goal. Argentina once again equalized in the 24th minute through Nicolas Keenan. The first half ended with India holding a narrow 3-2 advantage, thanks to Harmanpreet's penalty corner goal in the final minute.The second half was equally intense, with both teams displaying quick-fire hockey. India earned a penalty corner in the third quarter but failed to convert. Argentina also had their chances but were denied by the Indian defense.The fourth quarter proved to be decisive. India was awarded a penalty stroke with 10 minutes remaining, which Harmanpreet converted to extend India's lead to 4-2. Two minutes later, India was awarded another penalty stroke, which Harmanpreet again successfully converted.Argentina fought back valiantly, with Tadeo Marucci and Lucas Martinez scoring in quick succession to set up an exciting finish. However, India held on to secure a hard-earned victory.Harmanpreet's hat-trick was the highlight of the match, showcasing his exceptional drag-flicking skills. The Indian defense also played a crucial role, with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak making several key saves.India will next face Germany on June 1 in their next FIH Hockey Pro League match.

The Indian women's hockey team's European leg of the FIH Pro League has taken a disappointing turn as they suffered a second consecutive defeat, this time to Belgium by a score of 1-2. The loss marks the team's seventh straight defeat against Belgium in international matches.Under the guidance of new coach Harendra Singh and captain Salima Tete, the Indian team has struggled to find its footing in the tournament. After a 0-5 thrashing by Argentina on Wednesday, they were hoping to bounce back against Belgium. However, the home side proved to be too strong, taking an early 2-0 lead in the first half.Belgium's goals came from penalty corners, with Ambre Ballenghien scoring in the 14th minute and Vanessa Blockmans adding another in the 20th. India managed to pull one back in the 34th minute through a field goal by Kumari Sangita, but it wasn't enough to secure a victory.Belgium's relentless pressure and effective penalty corner conversions proved to be the difference in the match. The Indian team struggled to create clear-cut chances and were unable to capitalize on the few opportunities they had.Despite the setbacks, the Indian team showed glimpses of their potential. They withstood Belgium's initial pressure and began to dominate possession in the second quarter. However, they were unable to sustain their momentum and Belgium regained control of the game.In the third quarter, India managed to score a goal through Sangita, but Belgium continued to threaten their defense. The final quarter saw both teams create chances, but neither could find the back of the net.The defeat leaves the Indian women's hockey team with a lot of work to do. They will face Argentina again on Sunday in their next match and will be hoping to end their losing streak and secure their first points in the tournament.

India's hockey team faced a rude awakening in their recent five-Test series against Australia, losing 5-0 in Perth. The defeat exposed glaring weaknesses in the team, particularly in their inability to score field goals and their poor defensive work.Vice-captain Hardik Singh acknowledged the wake-up call, stating that the team had been under the illusion that they were performing well. He emphasized the need for constant alertness and proactivity in international hockey.The series against Australia, a team with a rich Olympic history, was crucial for India as they prepare for the Paris Olympics. However, instead of building on their strengths, the Kookaburras exploited India's weaknesses.India's forwards struggled to score field goals, managing only two in five matches. Hardik pointed out that the forwards need to work harder and be more aggressive in the opposition's 'D'.Defensively, India's man-to-man work was inadequate, and they failed to capitalize on counterattacks. The team's lack of consistency, due to constant chopping and changing, also contributed to their downfall.Despite the setback, Hardik expressed confidence that the team will not be affected mentally. He highlighted the importance of a positive mindset and the support of mental health expert Paddy Upton.India will face Australia again in their last group match at Paris, which could determine their qualification for the knockouts. Hardik emphasized the need for tactical improvement and a unified mindset to overcome the challenge.The team is currently in Antwerp, preparing for their remaining Pro League matches against Belgium, Argentina, Great Britain, and Germany. They are focused on getting back to winning ways and addressing their weaknesses before the Olympics.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaching, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations to end a 44-year gold medal drought. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh has revealed that the team is in the "last stages of an intense training block" as they aim to secure a top-four finish in Pool B and progress to the quarterfinals.India faces a formidable challenge in Pool B, which includes reigning Olympic champions Belgium, world number three Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. The team will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia."We are in the last stages of an intense training block right now," said Harmanpreet. "The team has worked on the areas we felt needed attention after the Tour of Australia. Soon, we will head to Europe to play some essential matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 to test ourselves against some tough opponents like Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain."Vice-captain Hardik Singh expressed his excitement for the Olympics, stating, "The team is leaving no stone unturned in our endeavor to change the color of our previous medal and clinch Gold at the Olympics this time. We have players like PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh who could be playing their fourth Olympics along with quite a few players who could be playing their third Olympics, including our Captain. Their experience has been instrumental in molding some of the younger players we have in the squad right now."India has a rich history in hockey at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals. The team's last Olympic medal was a bronze in Tokyo 2020.As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, the Indian men's hockey team is determined to make history and bring home the gold medal that has eluded them for over four decades.

Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team Embarks on European Tour with Rohit as CaptainThe Indian junior men's hockey team, under the leadership of defender Rohit, is set to embark on a European tour from May 20-29. The 20-member squad will play five matches across three nations—Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands—as part of Hockey India's initiative to provide the team with valuable exposure and experience.Rohit, who has been a key member of the Indian junior team for the past two years, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tour. "We have been training hard at our camp and have developed an understanding of each other's gameplay," he said. "It will be wonderful to play together against teams from other nations to help us build on our game and get better through this kind of exposure."The team's vice-captain, Shardanand Tiwari, echoed Rohit's sentiments. "This will be a wonderful experience and will go a long way in evaluating where we stand as a team and as individual players," he said. "It will be a great way to figure out our strengths and what areas we would need to touch upon."The Indian team will face a tough challenge during their tour, as they will be playing against some of the top junior teams in Europe. However, the players are confident that they can perform well and gain valuable experience."We are all very excited about this tour," said midfielder Ankit Pal. "We have been working hard in training and we are ready to give our best on the field. We know that the competition will be tough, but we are confident that we can perform well and make our country proud."The Indian team will play their first match on May 20 against Belgium in Antwerp, before playing the same opponents in Breda, Netherlands on May 22. India will then play the Netherlands' Club team Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda on May 23, followed by a game against Germany on May 28 in Germany. They will then return to Breda to play Germany once again on 29th May in their final match of the tour.

The Indian women's hockey team has undergone a leadership change, with Salima Tete taking over as captain from Savita Punia. The decision was made with an eye towards the future, including the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Tete, 22, has been a regular member of the squad since 2019 and has helped India win several medals, including bronze at the 2022 Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. She was also named Player of the Year 2023 by Hockey India."I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team," said Tete. "It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it's a mix of experienced and young players."Tete will be supported by Navneet Kaur, who has replaced Deep Grace Ekka as vice-captain. The 28-year-old Kaur will share duties as an attacking midfielder."In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the Pro League, we look to put our strong foot forward," said Kaur. "We have been training rigorously in the camp. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve. I am sure that we will put up good performances and get the results we desire."Savita, 33, will continue to play as a goalkeeper, along with Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defensive line-up includes Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary.The midfield will be marshalled by Tete, Kaur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, and Lalremsiami. The forward line will have Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, and Deepika Soreng.India has had a mixed performance in the Pro League so far, with two outright wins, one shootout victory, and five losses. They will play four matches against Argentina and hosts Belgium in Antwerp from May 22 to 26 before travelling to London where they will face Germany and hosts Great Britain in another four games from June 1 to 9.

With just 100 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations, recognizing the significance of every practice and drill in building momentum for the prestigious event.Harmanpreet Singh, the team captain, emphasized the team's determination to improve upon their bronze medal performance in Tokyo. "We are hungry to improve our result in Paris," he said. "Every day, every practice, every drill counts towards that goal."The team's recent tour of Australia, where they were whitewashed 0-5, served as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need improvement. "We have identified the areas we need to work on," said Hardik Singh, the team's vice-captain. "We will iron out any remaining issues well in time for the Olympics."Chief coach Craig Fulton is keeping the team on track with a rigorous training schedule. "The countdown to the Olympics is always in our minds," said Harmanpreet. "We are focused and ready to shine."India's qualification for the Paris Olympics came through their gold medal victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. In Paris, they will face defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Pool B.The team's unity and shared goal of winning the gold medal are driving their efforts. "We are a close-knit group with a common purpose," said Harmanpreet. "We will give our all in the remaining 100 days to make our dream a reality."

Harendra Singh, a seasoned coach with a proven track record in Indian hockey, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Janneke Schopman as the head coach of the Indian women's hockey team. Singh recently appeared for an interview with Hockey India, the national governing body, which has indicated that he is the preferred candidate to lead the team after its disappointing failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Singh previously served as the head coach of the Indian women's team from 2017 to 2018, guiding them to a gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup. He also coached the Indian junior men's team to victory at the 2016 Junior World Cup.Sources within Hockey India have expressed confidence in Singh's ability to revive the women's team. "Harendra is the best person to take the women's side to where it belongs," said a source. "He knows the structure of Indian hockey and has a proven track record of success."However, negotiations over Singh's salary could pose a challenge. As the current coach of the United States men's team, Singh is reportedly earning a substantial salary. Hockey India's salary cap for Indian coaches is Rs 3 lakh per month, but Singh may demand a higher amount.Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that Harendra appeared for the interview but emphasized that no decision has been made yet. "There are 11-12 candidates, and we will decide taking into account every aspect," he said.If appointed, Singh will replace Schopman, who resigned last month citing a difficult work environment for foreign coaches in India. Schopman's departure came after the women's team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, a major setback for Indian hockey.Singh's appointment would mark a return to the helm of the Indian women's team for the experienced coach. His previous stint with the team was cut short in 2018 when he was replaced by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne.