Iconic midfielder Sardar Singh has been named captain of a youthful Indian men's senior team that will compete in the 9th Men’s Asia Cup, which begins later this month in Ipoh (MAS). Hockey India (HI) confirmed the 18 player squad on that will compete in the competition on Sunday, with goalkeeper P R Sreejesh taking the vice captaincy role.
The 2013 Asia Cup is a crucial event for all teams involved, with qualification for the 2014 Rabobank Hockey World Cup going to the side that claims the Gold medal.
According to various reports surfacing in India, four key strikers - Danish Mujtaba, S V Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Akashdeep Singh - were ruled out of the competition due to injuries. The new-look forward line comprises Nithin Thimmaiah, Mandeep Singh, Malak Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Nikin Thimmaiah.
Hockey India selectors B.P. Govinda, R.P. Singh and Arjun Halappa, director high performance and interim chief coach Roelant Oltmans, coach M.K. Kaushik and scientific advisor Jason Konrath, along with government observer Harbinder Singh, selected the 18-member squad after trials at Bangalore's Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre July 25-27.
India is placed in Pool B with Korea, Bangladesh and Oman while Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan and Chinese-Taipei are placed in Pool A. India will open its campaign against Oman on 24 August 2013 followed by Korea on 26 August and Bangladesh on 28 August.
The complete 18 player squad can be found below.
Goalkeepers
1. P R Sreejesh (Vice-Captain)
2. P T Rao
Defenders
3. V R Raghunath
4. Rupinder Pal Singh
5. Amit Rohidas
6. Kothajit Singh
7. Birendra Lakra
8. Gurmail Singh
Midfielders
9. Sardar Singh (Captain)
10. Manpreet Singh
11. Chinglensana Singh
12. Dharamvir Singh
13. S K Uthappa
Forwards
14. Ramandeep Singh
15. Nithin Thimmaiah
16. Mandeep Singh
17. Malak Singh
18. Nikin Thimmaiah
Source material: Hockey India media release
