India to defend its Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup title in Muscat

Indian men’s junior hockey team coached by legendary former Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will defend its title at the 11th Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup at Muscat Oman. India are the defending champions having won the 2023 edition played at Salalah, Oman,by defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the final.

The 11th Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup organised by Asian Hockey Federation and hosted by Oman Hockey Association at Muscat from 27-November - 4 December 2024.

Players below 21 years are eligible to participate in the tournament.

Amir Ali to lead the Indian Team 

Defender Amir Ali will captain the 20-member Indian hockey team with Rohit as vice-captain.

Amir Ali was part of the Indian Men’s Hockey team which won the 8th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 played in China.

Also Read- India wins Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for record 5th time

Amir Ali was also captain of the Indian hockey team that came at the third place and  won the bronze medal at the U-21 Sultan of Johor Cup held in Malaysia in October 2024. 

The title was won by Great Britain by defeating Australia in the final.

Qualifier tournament for FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025

The 11th Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup is also a qualifying event for the 2025 FIH World Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup to be held in India 

The top six teams will automatically qualify for the FIH World Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

Team and Group in the 11th Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup

Ten teams are participating in the 11th edition of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup. The teams have been divided into two groups.

Group A: Chinese Taipei (Taiwan),  South Korea,Japan,India and Thailand.

Group B: Malaysia,Pakistan,  Oman, Bangladesh, and China

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals and the winner of the semi-finals will play the final.

About Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup

The Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup is for the under 21 year players. It is organised by the Asian Hockey Federation.

India has been the most successful team in the Championship with four title wins in 2004, 2015, 2008 and 2023.

Pakistan has won it three times in 1987,1992 and 1996.