Bhubaneswar: The reigning champions India is poised to compete in the much-anticipated FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, which will begin on November 24, with a 20-member squad (18-player team and 2 alternate players), as stated by Hockey India on Thursday.
Olympic Bronze Medalist Vivek Sagar Prasad, will captain the side, while defender Sanjay, who was part of the India U-18 team that won Silver in the Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Buenos Aires, will shoulder the duties of Vice Captain.
While Dinachandra Singh Moirangthem and Boby Singh Dhami have been named as alternate players, they will only be able to participate if an injury occurs or if one of the 18-member team is ruled out of the event due to covid-19.
“We have chosen a group of 20 players, a team of 18 and 2 alternate players who we believe gives us the best chance of defending our title as Junior World Cup Champions. It is a well-balanced side with a lot of flexibility and flare. The key to these guys performing on the big stage will be to trust in each other and trust in their preparation,” said Chief Coach Men, Graham Reid.
“The players have been thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to train for the last few days at Kalinga Hockey Stadium which has become an icon in our sport. Even though the ground will be empty, the Olympics have proven that the spectacle of hockey can still be enjoyed by everyone involved,” stated Reid highlighting the team’s ongoing preparations in Bhubaneswar ahead of the tournament.
India to begin title defence against France from November 24, followed by their match against Canada, Poland on November 25 and November 27 respectively. The knockout matches will take place between December 01 to December 05, with the teams vying to be crowned Champions of the famous quadrennial tournament.
Belgium, the Netherlands, Argentina, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Egypt, Pakistan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland, France, Chile, Spain, and the United States are among the other teams in contention.
India U-21 Squad:
Shardanand Tiwari, Prashant Chauhan (GK), Sanjay (VC), Sudeep Chirmako, Rahul Kumar Rajbhar, Maninder Singh, Pawan (GK), Vishnukant Singh, Ankit Pal, Uttam Singh, Sunil Jojo, Manjeet, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vivek Sagar Prasad (C), Abhishek Lakra, Yashdeep Siwach, Gurmukh Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal.
