KUALA LUMPUR – The Belgian team is confident that they can adapt to Malaysia’s tropical climate as they hunt for success at the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
Speaking to Scoop, head coach Jeroen Baart commended the quality of the national stadium and hopes the venue will bring good luck to his team.
“When we departed from our country, the temperature was close to freezing, so the difference for my players to adapt to this country’s climate was a bit challenging at first.
“However, our players have managed to mimic the Malaysian circumstances in Belgium, so we are confident of adapting and performing at the World Cup.
“Our target is to reach the quarterfinals in this year’s edition, and we are going to take it game by game from there. We have a good group of players who are eager to perform together. Time will tell where our road ends.
“Playing in a stadium like this will be a fantastic experience for our boys, and we hope to see lots of supporters in the stands,” said Jeroen.
Anticipating a challenging group together with European champions the Netherlands, Jeroen emphasised the obstacles that his team may face in the World Cup.
“Playing against opponents with a different style of hockey always brings a challenge.
“But it’s also a challenge that we are looking for to raise our level. It provides an opportunity for players to show how far they are in their development towards the senior team.
“It’s always good to experience different styles of hockey, each with its strengths and weaknesses. It will be up to us to exploit opportunities and leave no stone unturned, regardless of the opponent.
“It’s crucial to stay sharp throughout every game, and we are looking at Germany and Australia as the main contenders for the title,” Jeroen added.
Belgium is grouped with the Netherlands, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Group D for the World Cup.
Their junior team’s best result in the World Cup was runner-up in 2016 in Lucknow, India.
In the last edition in Bhubaneswar, India, in 2021, Belgium finished sixth.
The Belgium senior team won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold. – December 2, 2023