Junior Asia Cup was conceived in the late 80s as qualifier for the Junior World Cups. Before that a separate qualifying event met the task.

The Junior Asia Cup owes its origin to a conflict of interest between Asian and Oceania teams. The world governing body, FIH, insisted hosting a single qualifier event for both Asia and Oceania continents but the meager quota of three or four was not acceptable to Asia. Because, both Australia and New Zealand walked away with two berths easily, leaving not much for other 8 participating Asians.

Between 1977 and 1988, one Asian Zone Junior World Cup Qualifier and three Australasian Zone Qualifying Rounds were held.

In 1988, despite Junior Asia Cup was put on board in January, a separate Qualifier was staged in November. The duality came to an end after that with FIH recognizing Junior Asia Cup as the sole platform. In fact the Continental Federations got hardly any recognition till the 80s. Incidentally, India came a cropper in both the 1988 events, finishing third, emerging South Korea taking India’s slot.

The first qualifier was held in 1977 in Kuala Lumpur to spot Asian teams for the 1979 Versailles Junior World Cup. Pakistan won all the matches to win the event, with Manzoor Hussain along netting 15 goals. Malaysia extracted a revenge of sort against India in the semifinal, whom they lost in the semifinals of the Sr. World Cup four years ago at the same Merdeka stadium. Still India qualified for Versailles.

Four years later in Hong Kong, New Zealand defeated India in the final (1-2) of the Australasia Qualifier. Australia and Pakistan did not take part as they got direct entry to the 1982 world cup.

The Australasian Qualifier in 1985 was the toughest one so far. Indian avenged Malaysia in the semis (3-1) while the mighty Pakistan was overwhelmed by Australia (2-1). India lost the title to Australia (0-2) and Pakistan came third.

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1988 Qualifier was a home tragedy for the Indians. A month after failing to make it to the semis of the Seoul Olympics, our juniors got an opportunity to refurbish the sagging morale of Indian hockey. But it was not to be. Full capacity Shivaji Stadium in New Delhi was stunned as Shahbaz Ahmed led Pakistan outplayed India in the semis. Only the finalists made it to the world cup. Jehangir Butt, Pakistan manager now in Hyderabad, was the coach then.

India missed the next world cup also but it was of our own making. Bangalore coach PA Raphael was preparing a team painstakingly for almost a year. The team had such a future stars as Sabu Varkey, Ravi Naicker, Sandeep Somesh and BC Poonacha. However, Guffran-e-Azlam, powerful IHF vice president, sacked Raphael three days before the team’s departure, saying he did not like the coach’s concept of ‘total hockey’. One of the selectors, a 65-year old M. Rajagopal was tasked to coach. Demoralized colts failed to qualify, surrendering their slot to Malaysia.

In the next three Junior Asia Cups, India did extremely well, reaching the finals, even winning the 2004 number at Karachi.

Hyderabad Junior Asia Cup, starting today, is essentially an academic exercise, as six out of eight participating teams will qualify for the next year’s Junior World Cup. Authorities’ inability to rope in more teams, prevent pull outs (China and Thailand) robbed the event of its charm and competitive edge. But the history proves the bygone era was not like this.

Junior Asia Cup at a glance

No.
Year
Host
Gold
Silver
Bronze

1
1988
karachi
Pakistan
South Korea
India

2
1992
Kuala Lumpur
Pakistan
Malaysia
South Korea

3
1996
Singapore
Pakistan
India
Japan

4
2000
Kuala Lumpur
South Korea
India
Malaysia

5
2004
karachi
India
Pakistan
South Korea