8 Jan 2010, SINGAPORE: The Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) Under 21 Boys championships starting on 9 Jan 10 ensures thrills and spills especially in Group A, aka "the group of death". With perennial powers Jansenites, Police Sports Association and Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) grouped together it will make the qualification process for the second round truly invigorating. Balestier plains giants Singapore Indian Association (IA) and Ceylon Sports Club (CSC) complete the group.

IA are a vastly improved side and they will probably post the biggest threat to former trio in the pursuit of a second round place. CSC is still in a transitional phase and will do well to avoid bottom place in their group. Jansenites take on IA while CSC will lock horns with SCC in the opening round of games this weekend.

Meanwhile in Group B, SRC Team 1 looks set to dominate the group along with the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Squad. Due to the intense training that the latter have had over the last few months, it can be expected that they pip SRC Team 1 to the group honours. However it would be unwise for any team to underestimate newcomers C&C United or old vanguards, OVA-VJC and Hawks HC who complete the group. 

Group C has only four teams and ORA and Khalsa should progress to the next stage but SRC Team 2 can be expected to put in a good fight whilst Barkerites-SJI might find themselves in deeper than expected waters this season. However they should learn from the experience and as the tournament progresses their chances of progress will certainly improve.

The second round groups will Feature Group A and C winners along with Group B's runners up in one group, namely Group D and Group B winners with runner up teams from Group A and C in Group E. This might potential create a another group of death in Group D. All the same we expect the best teams to last the pace and appear in the 13 March 10 finals.-story by SHF