Sign in

After Asia Cup disaster, all eyes on junior team

The shocking exit of defending champions India from the Asia Cup has come as a note of caution for the colts preparing for the Junior World Cup being jointly organised by Singapore and Malaysia from June 7 to 21, reports Sharad Deep.

Updated on: May 14, 2009, 01:43:25 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Lucknow
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

The shocking exit of defending champions India from the Asia Cup has come as a note of caution for the colts preparing for the Junior World Cup being jointly organised by Singapore and Malaysia from June 7 to 21.

HT Image
HT Image

"We aren't being overconfident. We are not under pressure either," said chief coach AK Bansal on Wednesday. "But we will have to be cautious and careful, as all eyes would be on us now.

"The boys have developed a great combination as they have been playing together for the last one-and-a-half years."

In March this year, the colts had lost to Pakistan in the four-nation final at Johor Bahru in Malaysia, but the coach feels that defeat won't have much of an impact on team's morale.

"We have learnt a lot of things from that defeat…that loss won't have any impact on our determined side." He said the boys were responding well to the 'special plan' designed for the World Cup. "In the next couple of days, the boys will be told about the playing techniques of top teams like New Zealand, the Netherlands, Australia and Pakistan through video analysis."In the final tune-up, we would be concentrating on penalty-corners," he said.

India have been placed in Pool 'D' alongside the Netherlands.

  • Sharad Deep
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sharad Deep

    Sharad Deep is a versatile sports journalist, who loves writing on cricket and Olympic sport. He has played cricket at the university level and has been writing for Hindustan Times since 1997.

Check India news real-time updates, latest news on Hindustan Times and more across India.