India Announces 18-Man Squad for Asian Champions Trophy 2024
Hockey India has officially announced the selection of an 18-member men’s hockey squad for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy 2024, which is set to take place in Hulunbuir, China, from September 8 to September 17. As the defending champions of this prestigious tournament, the Indian men’s hockey team will once again be under the leadership of the accomplished Harmanpreet Singh, who recently emerged as the leading goal-scorer during the Paris 2024 Olympics and played a pivotal role in securing a bronze medal for the nation.
In a strategic move to structure the team, midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad has been appointed as the vice-captain. This tournament will mark the Indian team’s inaugural performance following the retirement of their iconic goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh. To fill this critical position, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera have been designated as the goalkeepers for this prestigious competition.
The defensive lineup will consist of Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, and the captain himself, Harmanpreet Singh. Our midfield will be helmed by Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, the vice-captain Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, and Mohammed Raheel. The forward positions are reinforced with a youthful contingent featuring Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, and the debutant Gurjot Singh.
Head Coach Craig Fulton has emphasized the significance of this tournament, which he regards as the commencement of a new Olympic cycle. “This is an important campaign for us to ensure we build on our ranking points,” Fulton stated. In the wake of a triumphant return from the recent Olympic celebrations, he also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support received from fans, anticipating that such encouragement would continue throughout their new campaign.
Fulton’s strategy included resting certain players who participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics in order to integrate promising young talents who demonstrated exceptional performance during training, thus earning their place in the squad.
The Indian men’s hockey team is set to commence their campaign against host nation China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan on September 9. After a day of rest, they will face Malaysia on September 11 and the Republic of Korea on September 12, culminating in a high-stakes match against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The tournament’s semi-finals are scheduled for September 16, with the final match to be held on September 17.
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