India A Hockey Team Set to Face Ireland in Europe Tour Opener

The India A men’s hockey team, under captain Sanjay, will launch its Europe tour with a match against Ireland on Tuesday, July 8, at 21:30 IST, aiming to showcase the depth of India’s emerging talent in an eight-game series against top European teams.

Organized by Hockey India, the tour is designed to provide international exposure to a squad blending youth and experience, strengthening the pipeline for the senior national team. The team will play two matches each against Ireland, France, and the Netherlands in Eindhoven, and one each against England in Amstelveen and Belgium in Antwerp, from July 8 to 20.

Captain Sanjay expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, stating, “This tour is a fantastic opportunity to test ourselves against strong European sides. Our mix of young and experienced players will help us adapt to the intensity of these games.” He noted the team’s preparation and the role of senior players in mentoring younger teammates for the demands of international play abroad.

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Coached by Shivendra Singh, assistant coach of the Indian men’s team, the squad includes talents like goalkeepers Pawan and Mohit Honnenahalli Shashikumar, and midfielders Poovanna Chandura Boby and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen. The tour follows the senior team’s recent 2-0 series win over Ireland in June 2025, setting a high benchmark for India A to build on.

Hockey India’s initiative aims to groom future stars, with the challenging European circuit offering a critical platform to assess the team’s readiness and resilience against formidable opponents.

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