Asia Cup Indian Women’s Team Announced
Indian Women’s Team Announced For Asia Cup : A day after the announcement of the Indian men’s hockey team for the Asia Cup, the women’s team has also been announced. This continental competition, which is important for World Cup qualification, will be played in Hangzhou, China from September 4 to 15. Veteran goalkeeper Sabita Punia and experienced midfielder Sushilla Chanu did not get a chance due to injuries. Only one girl from Odisha, midfielder Sunelita Toppo, has been included in the 20-member squad. Due to the absence of the experienced Sabita Punia, there will be additional pressure on the captain Salima Tete. Similarly, after coming out of Sabita’s shadow, Bichu Devi Kharibam will have to prove herself in goalkeeping as well. Udita, who returned to the team after marriage, will also handle the team’s defense.
The World Cup qualification also poses a tough challenge for the Indian women’s team. Paris Olympics silver medallists and world No. 4 China and world No. 12 Japan are expected to be the main opponents. Pool ‘B’ includes India along with Japan, Thailand and Singapore, while Pool ‘A’ has China, Malaysia, Korea and Chinese Taipei. While reaching the final from their group is not a big deal for India, it will be difficult to get a direct World Cup ticket if they are not the winners. ‘The players have worked hard, a balance between youth and experience has been maintained in the team selection. Emphasis has been placed on playing a disciplined and aggressive brand of hockey,’ said head coach Harendra Singh.
Team india – Goalkeepers-Vansari Solanki, Biju Devi Kharibam. Defenders-Manisha Chauhan, Udita, Suman Devi Thaudam, Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary. Midfielders-Neha, Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke, Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, Sunelita Toppo, Forwards-Nabhanit Kaur, Rutuja Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mamtaj Khan, Deepika, Sangita Kumari.
Meanwhile, Odisha has advanced to the finals of the 15th Hockey India National Junior Men’s Hockey Championship being held in Jalandhar. In the semi-final played on Thursday, Odisha defeated Punjab in a hard-fought battle by 3-2 goals. Odisha will face Haryana in the final on Friday at 3.30 pm. In the first semi-final on Thursday, Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh lopsidedly 3-0. As a result, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will face each other for the bronze medal before the final on Friday.
In the second semi-final played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium on Thursday, Pratap Toppo gave Odisha the lead in the first minute with a penalty corner goal. However, in the 12th minute, Gurusevak Singh’s field goal brought the match to a draw. Three minutes later, Pratap Toppo’s second goal (field) gave Odisha the lead again. In the 44th minute, Manmeet Singh Rai’s penalty corner goal in the third quarter kept the score at 2-2. In the 58th minute, Karan Lakra’s decisive field goal gave Odisha the victory.
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