Indian juniors upbeat about Hockey World Cup

Indian players are focused on the first match against the Netherlands in the Junior Hockey World Cup that starts here Dec 6.

Defender Gurjinder Singh said the team is determined to make a winning start and the first challenge is against top European team - the Netherlands - at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

"We have a clear mandate of taking each match as it comes and the target as of today is to have a winning start by beating Netherlands in the tournament. The team is very experienced and with players like Manpreet Singh we are confident of playing great hockey," said Gurjinder.

India vice captain Amit Rohidas said the team is confident about Dutch challenge.

"Playing the World Cup is a big event in any player's life and I am blessed to have got this opportunity to play with the senior team and for India. After playing together in the Asian Champions trophy we all are confident for our first match against Netherlands," said Rohidas.

The youngster also said that the team has improved its penalty corners conversion ratio.

"Our success ratio for penalty corners is 70 to 80 percent and we hope this success rate will help get those important goals against the opponents. We understand that winning the first match will be very important as it will not only get us in the momentum but also motivate us to continue with the winning streak. We are targeting to reach the semi finals and then the finals," he said.