Preview: England Ready For Action In Junior Women's World Cup Bid

England are ready for their first games in the Junior Women's Hockey World Cup in South Africa.

They play in the very first match of the event against the hosts on Friday morning, before facing Ireland less than 36 hours later.

Fri 1 April
England v South Africa - 10am UK time

Sat 2 April
England v Ireland - 4pm UK time

All games will be available to watch for a small fee on the FIH’s Watch.Hockey app and website. A pass for the entire tournament is £4.49, with England playing five matches.

The event was originally scheduled for December but had to been postponed because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Captain Millie Giglio told fih.hockey: "It's really exciting. We had the anticipation for the first event in December and now it's great we get to play.

"We're a process-driven team, out there to do the best in every game, if that means a medal great but it's about enjoying playing good, high-level hockey.

"I'm very competitive and we've got a great side, a lot of young players with potential.

"It's really good to be part of that history, the first time this event has been in an African country. We're anticipating some heat and us English aren't the best in that but we'll be well prepared."

After finishing seventh at the last event in 2016, this group will be hoping to improve on that. In the previous two events the women just missed out on a podium placing, finishing fourth in 2009 and 2013. The England men’s team were unfortunately unable to take part in their event in India late last year.

England only have three teams in their Pool, following the sad withdrawal of the Ukraine team a few days before the event is due to begin.

Pool fixtures
1 April England v South Africa 10am UK time
2 April England v Ireland 6pm UK time

If finishing first or second in pool:
8 April Quarter Finals
10 April Semi Finals
12 April Final / 3rd-4th play-off

If finishing third in pool:
7, 9 & 11 April Classification matches