Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India’s 18-Member Hockey Squad Revealed
Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Hockey India has unveiled an 18-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy 2024, which is scheduled to begin in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia in China from September 8 to September 17, 2024.
Asian Champions Trophy 2024 will witness Asia’s top hockey-playing nations like India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Japan, and host China vie for honors.
India Announced 18-Member Men’s Hockey Team For Asian Champions Trophy 2024 In China
The defending champions – India will be led by star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh and midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad will serve as his deputy in the tournament.
The team will also feature goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera. Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Sumit are the defenders in the squad.
Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Manpreet Singh, and Mohd. Raheel, these players have been included in the midfield. The young forwards, who will drive the attack, are – Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and debutant Gurjot Singh.
Notably, the squad features 10 players from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Bronze Medal feat, while five players including Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh, and Gurjant Singh have been rested for this tournament.
Speaking about the much-awaited tournament, Chief Coach Craig Fulton said: “This is an important campaign for us to ensure we build on our ranking points. The team has just returned to the camp after all the celebrations following our performance in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The past few weeks have truly been incredible with all the love and adulation for the team and we hope this support will continue all through our future campaigns.”
He added: “The new Olympic cycle for us begins with the Asian Champions Trophy and we are ready for the challenge. While we have rested a few players from the squad that played in Paris, we have brought in a few youngsters who have done well in training and have earned the opportunity to play in the Asian Champions Trophy. We will have Gurjot making his international debut, and I believe this is a great opportunity for youngsters who have received a call-up to shine. As a team, we want to continue to dominate in the Asian continent and we will go to China to retain the title.”
India Men’s Hockey Team For Asian Champions Trophy 2024 In China
Goalkeepers:
1. Krishan Bahadur Pathak
2. Suraj Karkera
Defenders:
3. Jarmanpreet Singh
4. Amit Rohidas
5. Harmanpreet Singh (C) – Captain
6. Jugraj Singh
7. Sanjay
8. Sumit
Midfielders:
9. Raj Kumar Pal
10. Nilakanta Sharma
11. Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC) – Vice-Captain
12. Manpreet Singh
13. Mohd. Raheel Mouseen
Forwards:
14. Abhishek
15. Sukhjeet Singh
16. Araijeet Singh Hundal
17. Uttam Singh
18. Gurjot Singh
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team will kickstart its campaign in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on September 8 with its first match against China, followed by its match against Japan on the 9th. After a day’s rest, the Men in Blue will face Malaysia on September 11 and then play against Korea on September 12.
Following another day off, India will go up against their rival Pakistan on September 14. The semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 are scheduled for September 16, with the final taking place on September 17.
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