New Delhi, Apr 9:
The Indian women’s hockey team will leave for Ireland tonight as part its preparation for the FIH Champions Challenge 1 beginning April 27 in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 18-member team which was announced last week will play a three-match Test series against Ireland and it should help the players acclimatise for the Champions Challenge.
The side is captained by midfielder Ritu Rani with another midfielder Sushila Chanu being her deputy. Navneet Kaur and Neha Goyal are expected to make their international debut during the tournament.
Speaking about the tour, chief coach Neil Hawgood said: “This is something that the Indian team has been looking forward for a long time, after playing our last International nearly six months ago. This is the starting point to build up to the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.”
In the Champions Challenge, India are placed in Pool A with Korea, Belgium and hosts Scotland, while USA, South Africa, Spain and Ireland are in Pool B.
India play their opener against Korea on April 27.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Yogita Bali (47 caps), Savita (65 caps)
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (44 caps), Deepika (112 caps), Sunita Lakra (15 caps), Kirandeep Kaur (133 caps), Namita Toppo (32 caps), Monika Malik (9 caps).
Midfielders: Sushila Chanu (61 caps)-Vice-Captain, Ritu Rani (165 caps)-Captain, Lily Chanu (22 caps), Chanchan Devi (97 caps), Soundarya Yendala (87 caps)
Forwards: Anuradha Devi (57 caps), Poonam Rani (99 caps), Vandana Katariya (85 caps), Navneet Kaur (0 caps), Neha Goyal (0 caps). (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel