Indian Hockey team for Asia Cup Announced

Bangalore, Aug 4(UNI) Versatile mid-fielder Prabodh Tirkey will lead the 18-member Indian team that takes part in the one-off Asia cup tournament, to be held in Chennai from September one.

Announcing the Indian squad IHF president Mr K P S Gill, informed that the team was strong and he expected a good show from them. The Indian team's performance in Champions Challenge Tournament in Belgium and the earlier Azlam Shah Tournament in Kaulalampur where the team earned bronze would fair better in Chennai.

The selectors made three changes who went to Champions trophy in held in Belgium, with striker S V Sunil (Forward) of Services coming in for Bharath Chikara, Ignesh Tirkey (Midfielder) for Sunil Yadav and Defender Raghunath came in for injured drag licking expert Sandeep Singh.

Following is the squad: Goalkeepers - Baljit Singh, Adrian D'ouza. Deep Defenders - Dilip TIrkey. William Xalco, Raghunath, Jaswinder Singh. Midfielder - Gurbaj Singh, Vimal Lakra, Sardara Singh, Prabhodh Tirkey (Captain), Ignace Tirkey, Vikramkanth.

Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Prabjoth Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Roshan Minz, Shivendra Singh and S V Sunil.

Chief Coach Joquim Carvalho. Coach- M P Singh. Assistant Coach - Rammesh Parameswaran, Physio - Srikanth Iyengar, Trainer - Ganguly Prasad.

Standbyes: Bharath Chetri, Sandeep Singh, Ajitesh Rai, V S Vinaya, Dharamdeep Singh, Birendra Lakra, Anwar Ali and Mayur Subbaiah.

Sandeep had to withdraw from the camp being held at Sports Authority of India (ASI) Southern Center on the outskirt of the city after he had a fall in the bathroom and injured his back. Sandeep's absence will hurt India more as it is devoid of an expert drag flicker and Penalty Corner Conversions will continue to suffer.

Indian team's Chief coach Joaquim Carvalho said that "We want to do better than the two bronze performances we achieved in Belgium and Kaulalampur".

Mr Gill, commenting on the India's offer to host the champions trophy in the wake of Australia refusing to play in Pakistan where the coming edition of the top Hockey tournament is slated to be held, said that "India is ready to hold the tournament in the event of Pakistan unable to do so". "We have already written to FIH and we were waiting for a reply" he said.

"We have the best facilities and the climate to hold this championship" he added.

UNI