Indian Junior Women Hockey Team announced for the upcoming 7th Women’s Junior Asia Cup

New Delhi, 27 August 2015: Hockey India today announced the Indian Junior Women Hockey Squad for the upcoming 7th Women’s Junior Asia Cup to be played in Changzhou, China from 05 September to 13 September 2015. India is placed in Pool A along with China, Malaysia, Singapore, DPR Korea. In Pool B, Korea Rep, Japan, Thailand and Chinese- Taipei will contest against each other.  This tournament will be a qualification event for the Junior Women World Cup 2016.

The team will be led by the very proficient Captain Rani whose leadership will motivate the other players to go the extra mile for the team.

Playing their first match on the opening day, 05 September 2015 against DPR Korea, the young Indian team will be aiming to open the tourney on a winning note. Post finishing third in the recent Volvo Invitational U-21 Women, the team has been practicing hard and working on various strategies to improve their game. The girls are undergoing its training sessions in Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi to polish their skills and emerge strong in all aspects of the game, with a focus on trying to cash in on the penalty corners.

Speaking on the team, Coach Baljeet Saini said, “The team looks confident ahead of the upcoming tournament. They are very much determined post their third place finish at the U-21 Volvo Invitational tournament and the team will aim for a win in the Junior Women Asia Cup. The girls have worked on the various aspects including starting the game with speed and improved their attacking skills.”

Commenting on the upcoming tournament Captain Rani said, “The team is in good shape and the preparatory camp has been helping us to improve our game each day. We are optimistic after our recent third place finish at the U-21 Volvo Invitational tournament and focusing on our strategies and working on rectifying our mistakes so that we come out as a strong unit. I am sure that we will see a good competition in the upcoming tournament and hope to finish it on a winning note.”

List of players-

Goalkeepers

1. Inderpreet Kaur

2. Sheweta

Defenders

3. Deep Grace Ekka

4. Namita Toppo

5. Gurjit Kaur

6. Jaspreet Kaur

7. Manjit Kaur

8. Rashmita Minz

Midfielders

9. M. Lily Chanu

10. Lilima Minz

11. Navjot Kaur (Vice Captain)

12. Renuka Yadav

13. Preeti Dubey

Forwards

14. Anupa Barla

15. Rani (Captain)

16. Punam Barla

17. Navneet Kaur

18. Sonika