To the delight of all, Sardar Singh will lead an inexperienced 18-member squad for the crucial Asia Cup hockey tournament at Ipoh in Malaysia from 24th August to 1st September.
Reportedly, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has replaced drag-flicker VR Raghunath as vice-captain for the tournament. To be precise, this event presents India a last hope for making the way for the 2014 World Cup at The Hague in Netherlands.
Currently, India are left without key forwards because of injuries, hence they have been placed in Pool B with Bangladesh, Korea and Oman while Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia and Chinese-Taipei are positioned in Pool A. Subsequently, India will commence their campaign against Oman on 24th August followed by Korea on 26th August and Bangladesh on 28th August.
The absence of four key strikers SV Sunil, Danish Mujtaba, Akashdeep Singh and Gurwinder Singh Chandi has stepped back India’s chances in the tournament. However, acting chief coach and Hockey India High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans has expressed confidence over the replacements’ ability to rise to the event.
Precisely, the forward line now constitutes five young players comprising Mandeep Singh, Nithin Thimmaiah, Malak Singh and two new comers Ramandeep Singh and Nikin Thimmaiah. In addition, defender Amit Rohidas is another newcomer who is the part of the defense line.
Hockey India selectors RP Singh, BP Govinda, Arjun Halappa, coach Oltmans, scientific advisor Jason Konrath, MK Kaushik along with the government observer Harbinder Singh chose the squad during the trials conducted at SAI Centre in Bangalore from 25th-27thJuly.
The squad consists of Goalkeepers PT Rao and PR Sreejesh (vice-captain). Defenders are Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, VR Raghunath, Gurmail Singh and Birendra Lakra. Midfielders are Sardar Singh (captain), Chinglensana Singh, Manpreet Singh, SK Uthappa and Dharamvir Singh. Forwards constitutes Nithin Thimmaiah, Malak Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Mandeep Singh and Nikin Thimmaiah.
