Hockey India names 20-member Indian Junior Men's Team for Junior Asia Cup in Muscat
Hockey India on Monday (November 18) named a 20-man Indian junior men's team for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman from November 26 to December 4. The tournament will serve as a qualification pathway for the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025.
The Indian Colts have won the tournament four times for a record. They won the tournament in 2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023. India won the latest edition of the Junior Asia Cup by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the summit clash of the tournament.
10 teams will compete across two pools of five in the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman. Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and India are pitted in Pool A, while hosts Oman, China, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are drawn in Pool B.
Amir Ali will lead Team India and Rohit will serve as his deputy. They will aim to defend their title under the guidance of newly appointed head coach PR Sreejesh.
Former Indian goalkeeper and current head coach of the Indian Colts, PR Sreejesh was quoted as saying in a press release:
"The Sultan of Johor Cup was a first-time experience for many of the players, yet they showed great spirit in doing well and I am quite pleased with how they performed. The team will be taking confidence from that performance and will be working towards a successful outing in the Junior Asia Cup. The players have been putting in a lot of hard work at the ongoing national camp in SAI, Bengaluru and we have made certain changes to our game to be more effective in defence and efficient in converting goals."
Indian Junior Men's Team for Junior Asia Cup in Muscat
Goalkeepers: Princedeep Singh and Bikramjit Singh
Defenders: Amir Ali, Talem Priyobarta, Shardanand Tiwari, Yogember Rawat, Anmol Ekka, and Rohit
Midfielders: Ankit Pal, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Mukesh Toppo, and Thokchom Kingson Singh
Forwards: Gurjot Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Dilraj Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Araijeet Singh Hundal
Reserves: Sukhvinder and Chandan Yadav