Hilma Nalupe
The Namibia U/21 men’s team will face Spain today in a crucial pool match at the Junior Hockey World Cup in India, a fixture that could determine their progression to the round of 16.
The team stands a fair chance of advancing, provided they beat Spain, secure a draw, or avoid a heavy defeat. A narrow loss such as 3-2 or 3-1 could still keep their hopes alive, depending on the outcomes of the other pool fixtures.
Speaking ahead of the match, the men’s head coach Johan Weyhe said his players are prepared and fully aware of their roles.
“Spain is ranked fourth in the world, but we will play our best. If the score remains as low as possible, or we win or draw against Spain, the team can make it to the final round of 16,” he said.
Weyhe added that the team has shown steady improvement since their opening matches and that discipline on defence will be key against the European giants. Meanwhile, the Namibia U/21 women’s hockey team made their World Cup debut yesterday in Santiago, Chile, where they opened their campaign against India. Although the match had not started at the time of going to print, the team went into the clash with hope and determination.
Team captain Azaylee Philander had earlier stated that the group aims to finish among the top three in their pool and eventually secure a place in the round of 16.