K. ARUMUGAM

Kuala Lumpur: India are smarting after a 1-4 setback against Spain on Thursday. On Saturday, the two-time champions play their last Pool C game against Canada in the 2023 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup at the Bukit Jalil stadium. But despondency, if any, will be put on the back burner. Canada are whipping boys of the pool after 0-7 and 1-4 defeats to Spain and South Korea respectively and Coach CR Kumar’s team will be smacking their lips and not quite sporting long faces in a bid to run up a hatful of goals and making the quarterfinals as one of two top teams in the pool.

India – Canada at Jr World Cup 2021, India won 13-0

Canada Head Coach Geoffrey Matthews knows that his team will be put through an ordeal by fire. “We need a little bit of luck tomorrow,” he said with a wry smile. “Playing India will be that much harder than playing a European team,” he said.

However, it should be pointed out that the Canadians, much like Malaysians, outperform themselves against India mostly, and push into corner.

He pointed out an interesting scenario. “There’s a big Indian hockey community in Canada, and it’s going to be exciting, especially with many Indian-origin players in the team.”

Canadian Jr Coach Geoffrey Mathews

There are 12 Indian origin players in the present Canadian team  — it was 8 in Bhubaneswar two years ago — and is led by a Goan Julius D’Souza. His father is here to support him. Many parents are also spotted here, and are sitting in a pavillion decorating Maple leaf flag surrounding them.
Two players in the Canadian team have tasted action against India, revealed Matthews — Navjot Sidhu and Captain Julius D’Souza who was a reserve in India and are a part of a clutch of players of Indian origin.

Indian team gearing up for the Canadian challenge JR WC KL

Mathews wants a professional performance from his players for a result. “How we do against India will determine the level of our challenge in the cross-pool matches,” he said.
“We need to secure the ball, pass it around, and if India win the ball, we will aim to counterattack,” said the coach.
“But we would also be open to using the press,” he added.
“It’s going to be a tough match.”
Is there any particular player (s) in the Indian ranks that he sees as threats? “No. But India will be a threat across the team — and they will be dangerous at penalty corners too,” Mathews said.
“After two defeats, we must pick ourselves and for me, it’s about playing all 60 minutes,” he added. “We’ve had good fourth quarter performances but we must extend that to every quarter.”
Spain with two wins out of two will play South Korea who are also in the running for a quarter-final spot but will need an improbable huge win over the in-form Iberians to sustain any hope of making the grade.
On paper, Spain and India — who beat South Korea 4-2 in their opener — are most likely to progress to the last-eight stage, the glorious uncertainties of sport notwithstanding.