5 memorable aspects of India’s victorious Junior Hockey World Cup campaign

#5 Fast pace

The start of a new era(Image: Hindustan Times)

For years, Indian hockey aficionados watched wistfully as European teams overtook India, once a superpower in hockey, with their aggressive and fast-paced game. India was largely reliant on individual skills but fell behind in terms of intensity.

However, the Junior Team were like a breath of fresh air playing a style of hockey that most Indians are not used to – fast counter-attacks, high intensity and relentless attack instead of getting defensive.

This was evident even in the Final where India, despite being 2-0 up, continued to attack Belgium from both flanks without falling back contented and merely trying to defend the lead. The tackling was brilliant and so was the man-to-man marking making the Indian goal almost impregnable.