The exposure tour was held from 5 July to 18 July 2026 and featured six challenging matches against Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Facing elite European opposition in a highly competitive environment, the young Indian side displayed growing tactical maturity, resilience, and adaptability with each successive match.
India began its campaign at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre with a hard-fought 2-4 defeat against Austria. The team responded strongly in the second fixture by producing a commanding 4-1 victory over the same opponents, scoring three field goals and converting one penalty corner to level the series.
The Indian team then faced hosts Belgium in the third match, where it suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat after a spirited performance. The fourth fixture saw another closely contested encounter against Germany, with India losing 0-1 after Germany secured the decisive goal through a last-minute penalty-corner strike. India then faced Belgium again in the fifth match and went down 2-4 despite another determined display.
The tour concluded at the Hockey Centre of Excellence in Antwerp, where India delivered its finest performance of the campaign. In a thrilling contest against the Netherlands, the young Indian side produced an outstanding attacking display to register a hard-earned 4-3 victory, ending the tour on a winning note.
Reflecting on the campaign, head coach Frederic Soyez said the Belgium tour had been an outstanding experience both on and off the field. He stated that competing against high-quality opposition in a demanding environment had provided invaluable opportunities for growth, learning, and team development.
Soyez emphasized that the team's greatest achievement was not merely the final results but the visible progress made from one match to the next. He said every performance reflected the players' commitment, adaptability, and willingness to learn. While acknowledging the narrow defeats against Belgium and Germany, he described the overall performances as highly encouraging and said the squad had taken away many valuable lessons.
The coach added that the team's final performance against the Netherlands clearly demonstrated the progress achieved during the tour, highlighting the character, resilience, and determination shown by the players in securing a well-deserved victory against one of Europe's leading hockey nations.
Looking ahead, Soyez said the experience gained during the Belgium tour would play a vital role in the players' continued development. He acknowledged that further improvement was needed, particularly in maintaining consistency and becoming more efficient during crucial moments of matches. However, he stressed that the team's progress was evident and that the tour had strengthened the squad's confidence while providing a solid foundation for future training and international competition.
The successful conclusion of the Belgium exposure tour marks an important milestone in the preparation of the Indian Under-21 Men's Hockey Team, with the valuable experience against Europe's top teams expected to contribute significantly to the squad's growth and future international ambitions.
About The Author
Comment List