With eye on junior world cup, HI announces young squad for Asian champions trophy
With eyes firmly on the upcoming Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, Hockey India on Monday announced a very young 18-member team to be led by mid-fielder Manpreet Singh for third Asian Champions Trophy to beheld in Kakamigahara, Japan from November 2-10.
Inspirational centre-half Sardar Singh and others seniors like vice-captain PR Sreejesh, SV Sunil, VR Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh have been rested for the tournament which will help the young squad in preparations for the junior WC scheduled to start in Delhi from December sixth.
Manpreet led India admirably during the 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup and guided the junior team to victory in Ipoh. 13 members of the Sultan of Johor Cup-winning squad are part of the team which will leave India on Tuesday midnight.
Kothajit Singh has been named the vice-captain for the six-nation tournament that involves China, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and Pakistan.
India will open their campaign against China on November 2, followed by matches against Japan (Nov 3), Oman (Nov 5), Pakistan (Nov 7) and Malaysia (Nov 8).
India have had good memories in Asian CT, winning the inaugural edition once while finishing as runners-up last year. HI selectors B P Govinda, R P Singh and Arjun Halappa, Roelant Oltmans, Director High Performance, Gregg Clark, foreign coach junior men team and Baljeet Singh Saini, coach junior men team alongwith government Observer Harbinder Singh selected the squad during the trials conducted at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on October 9-10.
The team recently played a practice bilateral tournament against the visiting Malaysan team. “The Asian Champions Trophy gives us an opportunity to allow our junior players to showcase their skills and gain experience in the international environment,” HI Secretary General Narinder Batra said.
list of players
Goalkeepers: Sushant Tirkey, Harjot Singh
Defenders: Gurjinder Singh, Amit Rohidas, Surender Kumar, Sukhmanjit Singh, Pardeep Mor; Midfielders: Prabhdeep Singh, Manpreet Singh (capt), Satbir Singh, Harjeet Singh, Imran Khan, Kothajit Singh (vice-capt)
Forwards: Malak Singh, Mandeep Singh, Talwinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh.