New Delhi, 25 May 2015: Hockey India today announced the Indian Women Hockey Squad for the upcoming FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final to be played in Antwerp, Belgium from 20 June to 04 July 2015. India is placed in Pool B along with the FIH Ranked #2 Australia, FIH Ranked #4 New Zealand, Poland and hosts Belgium. In Pool A, FIH Ranked #1 The Netherlands, FIH Ranked #9 Korea, FIH Ranked #10 Japan, Italy and Azerbaijan will contest against each–other.
Playing their first match on the opening day, 20 June 2015 against the host nation Belgium, the Indian Women Hockey Team will be aiming to open the tourney with a win. The team will yet again be led by Captain Ritu Rani who will be supported by Vice-Captain Deepika.
Training under the new Chief Coach Mathias Ahrens, the team is aiming to finish in the top four and qualify for the FIH Hockey World League Final Round and also secure a place in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Speaking on the team line-up, Captain, Ritu Rani said, “The team is in very good shape and the ongoing preparation camp is helping us to improve our game. With our recent performance in the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 in New Delhi and the Hawke’s Bay Cup 2015 in New Zealand, we have seen improvement in our game and we have successfully rectifying the mistakes we committed in our previous tournaments. New Chief Coach is working well with us and we are learning new strategies under his coaching. The atmosphere is very positive and we are confident to take on our opponents in the FIH HWL Semi-Final.”
Speaking on the team, Chief Coach Mathias Ahrens stated, “The team is doing very well and improving perfectively. We have pointed out mistakes and loopholes in the previous matches and we are positively working on those issues. The players are keen learners and work really hard, which is a very good thing for the team. We know the fact that we will face top-ranked team in the tournament but we are not in pressure. We will just focus on our strategies and play our best game. I am sure that we will see a good competition in FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final.”
The FIH Hockey World League Semi-Final will be played from 20 June to 04 July 2015 and ten teams will be seen fighting it out for the title. India will play their first match against Belgium at 07.30 PM IST on 20 June 2015.
List of 18 Women Players –
GOALKEEPERS
1. Savita
2. Rajini Etimarpu
DEFENDERS
3. Deep Grace Ekka
4. Deepika
5. Sunita Lakra
6. Namita Toppo
7. Sushila Chanu
MIDFIELDERS
8. Ritu Rani
9. Lilima Minz
10. Lily Chanu
11. Navjot Kaur
12. Monika
13. Renuka Yadav
FORWARDS
14. Rani
15. Poonam Rani
16. Vandana Kataria
17. Anuradha Devi
18. Soundarya Yendala
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