India play last edition's runners-up Netherlands in a Pool C match tomorrow and Clark very well understands the importance of the lung-opener.
"We feel we have prepared well. First game of every tournament is really important. It gives you good momentum going forward. It gives you good confidence," he told reporters on the sidelines of the unveiling of Junior World Cup trophy at a city hotel here today.
"I think we have a very good team at the moment. I think we have a very strong team. There are quite a few players who will go on to represent India in senior international hockey. We are playing at home so I think we have as good a chance than anybody," Clark insisted.
Clark conceded that his wards would feel the pressure to perform before the home crowd but refused to look too far ahead in the tournament.
"We have sufficient time in the pool if we don't get a positive result tomorrow. So we are not putting too much pressure on ourselves. We just gonna go out there and hopefully can do the business tomorrow," he said.
"Consistency is not a huge concern for me because I think it will be the same for everybody. It's all about being accurate on the night.
