New Delhi: Hockey India announced the 18-member Indian Women’s Hockey Team for the forthcoming Donghae Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, which will be contested between December 5 and 12, 2021. India kicks out their campaign on the first day, competing for first place in a single-pool competition alongside China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia. In the previous edition, held in 2018, India finished second to Korea.
While Navjot Kaur and Suman Devi Thoudam have been named alternative players (Ap), they will only be allowed to participate if there is an injury or if someone from the 18-man roster is ruled out of the event owing to Covid-19.
“Despite some unfortunate injuries and Senior players joining the Junior team for the Junior World Cup in South Africa, I feel we have selected a good team for the upcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. This tournament will be a good opportunity for some young new players to get a taste of the highest international level and I’m excited to see if we can implement our training themes consistently,” said Chief Coach Janneke Schopman while stating about the team composition.
“I’m sure that expectations are high after our success at the Tokyo Olympics but we all start at zero again. I am confident that we can show our abilities and will be looking for our team to play consistently at a high pace,” Schopman added.
India will play Thailand in their first match on 5 December, Malaysia on 6 December, and hosts and defending champions Korea in their third encounter on 8 December. India takes on China on December 9 and Japan on December 11.
Indian Women’s Team:
Goalkeepers : 1. Savita (C) 2. Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders : 3. Deep Grace Ekka (VC) 4. Udita 5. Nikki Pradhan 6. Gurjit Kaur
Midfielders : 7. Nisha 8. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam 9. Namita Toppo 10. Monika
11. Neha 12. Jyoti 13. Lilima Minz
Forwards 14. Navneet Kaur 15. Vandana Katariya 16. Rajwinder Kaur 17. Mariana Kujur 18. Sonika
