The India A men’s hockey team will launch its European tour on Tuesday with a challenging opening clash against Ireland in Eindhoven, marking the beginning of an eight-match assignment designed to evaluate the country’s emerging talent and reinforce its senior team pipeline.
Organised by Hockey India, the tour includes fixtures against some of the continent’s top sides, with India A scheduled to play two matches each against Ireland, France, and the Netherlands, along with one match each against England and Belgium.
The matches will test the team’s competitiveness in foreign conditions and offer valuable international exposure to a some youthful prospects and seasoned players.
“The tour of Europe is a great opportunity for all of us,” said captain Sanjay, who leads a squad built with a strategic mix of experience and fresh energy. “There will be some very tough games on this tour and we are looking forward to testing ourselves against these teams. There is youth and experience in our squad, and that will be very useful for the team in these games.”
Sanjay also highlighted the unique challenge of playing away from home, acknowledging the intensity of competition in unfamiliar conditions. “The India A Men’s Hockey Team are aware of the challenges and how tough the opposition will be. It is also quite different since we are playing away from home,” he remarked.
Despite the daunting opposition, there is an air of quiet confidence within the squad. Preparations have been thorough, and the senior members have played a crucial role in mentoring the newcomers.
“The team has prepared well, and our senior players have also been helping the younger ones settle in and understand the demands of the game at this level,” Sanjay added.
The tour is seen as a key step in Hockey India’s broader strategy to strengthen the national structure by cultivating the next generation of players. With top European teams in the mix, the assignment offers an ideal platform to gauge readiness and resilience against international standards.
The opening match between India A and Ireland is set to begin at 21:30 IST on July 8, kicking off what promises to be an intense and revealing tour for the future of Indian men’s hockey.
