India squad announced for Hockey World League
New Delhi: Aiming for a top-five finish in the Hockey World League, India captain Sardar Singh said his team are prepared for the tough challenge despite being young and inexperienced.
“We are a young team and still learning. We have prepared well for the tournament. We have a tough challenge ahead of us. Hopefully the boys will be at their best. We are hoping for a fourth-fifth place finish. But we will have to work really hard for it,” Sardar said at the trophy unveiling ceremony of the inaugural edition of the competition here on Wednesday.
Participating teams are viewing this competition as a platform to assess their preparation for the Hockey World Cup in May.
“We have an exciting year ahead. There couldn’t have been a better opportunity to test ourselves in a competition like this. We have high hopes from this year. Hopefully the team will also step up to the challenge,” Sardar said.
Seven top nations, besides India, will be vying for the title in the tournament to be held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium from January 10.
India face England in their opening pool encounter on the opening day. The Indian side, which last played at the Asia Cup in September, will be competing in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games besides the World Cup later this year.
“There are lot of important tournaments lined up for us. We would want to build some momentum in this tournament to have successful year,” the Indian skipper added.
All captains of the participating nations were present at the ceremony to unveil the trophy.
Meanwhile, Forwards SV Sunil and Yuvraj Valmiki made a comeback as India named an 18-member squad with three new faces in it.
While Sunil came back into the team after recovering from the elbow injury he sustained before the Asia Cup in August, Walmiki made a return after the Champions Trophy in 2012.
New faces in goalkeeper Harjot Singh, midfielder MB Aiyappa and striker Affan Yousuf were named by the selectors for the final round.
Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh will be Sardar’s deputy.
The goal-scoring responsibility will be shouldered by the likes of Mandeep Singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah among others while VR Raghunath maintains his position as the drag-flicker.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh (Vice-Captain), Harjot Singh.
Defenders: Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, VR Raghunath, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Amit Rohidas.
Midfielders: Sardar Singh (Captain), SK Uthappa, Dharamvir Singh, Manpreet Singh, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, MB Aiyappa.
Forwards: Nikkin Thimmaiah, SV Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Affan Yousuf, Yuvraj Walmiki. (PTI)