With the FIH Hockey Menās Junior World Cup set to begin on November 28, four more international teams have arrived in Tamil Nadu to begin their final preparations. Japan and Chile landed in Chennai, while Spain and Austria touched down in Madurai on Monday.Japan, playing their fourth Junior World Cup, reached Chennai late Monday night.
They are placed in Pool C with Argentina, China, and New Zealand.
Japan will open their campaign against Argentina on November 28, followed by China on November 30, and New Zealand on December 1.
Head coach Yoshihiro Anai said the team prepared by training with the senior Japan Men’s team and is confident of a strong performance. He noted that the opening match against Argentina will be their toughest in the group.
Chile, drawn in Pool B with India, Oman, and Switzerland, also arrived shortly after Japan.
They finished 15th in the 2023 edition and are aiming for a stronger performance this time.
Chile opens their campaign against hosts India on November 28, plays Switzerland on November 29, and faces Oman on December 2.
Spain, two-time Bronze medallists (2005 and 2023), arrived in Madurai with high hopes of upgrading their medal this year. They are in Pool D alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia.
Spain begins their campaign on November 28 against Egypt.
Coach Oriol Puig Torras praised the warm welcome in Madurai and said the team is eager to aim higher than previous Bronze finishes.
Austria, participating in only their second Junior World Cup after 2016, also reached Madurai. They are placed in Pool E with England, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
They open their tournament on November 29 against Malaysia.
Coach Robin Rosch said the team received an āamazingā welcome and is focused on progressing further in this rare World Cup appearance.