Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team Embarks on Belgium Exposure Tour

Overview of the Exposure Tour

The Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team, competing in the U-21 category, is gearing up for an exposure tour in Belgium. This tour will feature six competitive matches against teams from Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is a vital preparation step for the squad, now under the guidance of new coach Frederic Soyez, as they approach the Men's Junior Asia Cup scheduled for later this year.

Match Schedule and Locations

The itinerary includes two matches against Austria and Belgium, along with one match each against Germany and the Netherlands. The matches will take place from July 7 to July 17, 2026. Most of the games will be hosted at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, with the final match against the Netherlands occurring at the Hockey Center of Excellence in Antwerp.

Insights from the Coach

This tour presents a significant chance for the young Indian team to challenge themselves against some of the top hockey nations in Europe. Each match is anticipated to provide essential exposure to various playing styles and conditions.

Coach Frederic Soyez expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tour, stating, "I am very excited about experiencing this first tour with the group. It is a great opportunity to get to know the players better in a different environment, while also laying the foundations of our playing project. Tours like this are always important because they help create shared references, strengthen team cohesion, and begin to build a real team identity."

He further emphasized the importance of these matches, noting, "These matches are very important because they immediately put us in conditions that are close to what we will face in major competitions. They will allow us to assess our current level of performance, our ability to apply our playing principles under pressure, and also how we respond against quality opponents."