Graham Reid feels India Junior team’s biggest test will be against Belgium in the quarterfinals

The Indian Junior team have done pretty well to put their defeat against France behind them and have qualified for the quarterfinals at the Junior Men’s World Cup. The Blue Colts will now have a tough road ahead as they will take on Belgium in the quarterfinal clash.

The recent 8-2 win over Poland will give them a lot of confidence but still, they need to be at their best to progress to the semifinals. Speaking to the media, Indian Men’s Hockey team coach Graham Reid also highlighted how the team’s main challenge will be against Belgium.

“I feel the team has been learning from each match they have played so far and have gotten better with each day. In the last two games, particularly, we have started doing what we aim to do. But the real test begins tomorrow against Belgium,” said Graham Reid, who led the Indian Men’s team to the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Belgium have been in great form in this tournament. They have an undefeated record having won two matches and drawn one among the group stage clashes. Highlighting the strategy that his team must adopt against Belgium, Reid said, “One of our goals for tomorrow’s match will be to have a good start. The boys are upbeat. Hopefully, all the nerves would have been washed away in the last couple of games. I am more focused on making sure we are tight in defence at every moment in the game.”

India’s match against Belgium is the replay of the last edition’s final where India won and they will be looking to repeat that feat once again in this edition of the Junior Hockey World Cup. Belgium have been in great form in this tournament but they recently drew against Malaysia which was rather surprising. Reid feels that he has learned a lot about Belgium from their last match against Malaysia.

Graham Reid stated, “You see the DNA comes down from the senior team, and the senior team is World No. 1. You also saw some vulnerabilities which the Malaysians exploited and we will look to do the same.”

Even if India go past Belgium they will have to take the difficult route to defend their title. Therefore Reid and his men will have to be in their best form to retain their crown.