HI announces squad for Sultan Azlan Shah
April 19th, 2011 - 8:50 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, April 19 (IANS) Hockey India (HI) Tuesday announced an 18-member squad with a new captain and coach at the helm for the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament starting May 5 at Ipoh, Malaysia.
Seasoned Arjun Halappa will lead the side while Harendra Singh, who was deputy to Jose Brasa, will hold the coaching reins after the Spaniard’s exit.
Rajpal Singh, who is nursing an abdominal strain, has been left out. Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and reliable defender Sardara Singh, who did not report for the national camp and is playing in the Belgium League, are also missing from the squad.
The defence comprises Dhananjay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram and Rupinder Pal Singh.
“There are some concern in the defence but we have picked the best available unit. The selectors have done a fair job,” said national coach Harendra Singh.
“Diwakar has done well in domestic tournaments. Rupinder did well on the European tour and last Azlan Shah Cup. Dhananjay is also good in direct and indirect conversions,” said Harendra.
“Nobody has any fitness issues or hiding any injury. Rajpal has a lower abdominal injury and he needs rest.”
Harendra said the tournament will be a build-up to Champions Trophy and the 2012 Olympic qualifiers — both of which will be hosted in India.
Asked about V.S. Vinay being dropped, Harendra said: “We have to groom youngsters.”
Selector Balbir Singh said the core group has been retained.
“Some of the good players are injured. We aim to give these players exposure and the ultimate aim is to qualify for the Olympics.”
Captain Halappa exuded confidence in the team.
“We had a new and young team in the last Azlan Shah but we won the tournament. We are confident this team will perform well.”
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Bharat Kumar Chetri; Adrian D’Souza.
Defenders: Dhananjay Mahadik, Rupinder Pal Singh, Diwakar Ram.
Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikas Pillay, Vikram Pillay, Arjun Halappa (capt), Ravi Pal, Danish Mujtaba, Vikas Sharma.
Forwards: Shivendra Singh, S.V. Sunil, Mandeep Antil, Sarvanjeet Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Roshan Minz.
Standbys: P.R. Sreejesh, William Xalxo, Gurjinder Singh, Birendra Lakra, Preetinder Singh, Bikash Toppo.
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- Indian hockey team to play in Hamburg Masters - Jun 16, 2010
- Adrian, Sandeep, Diwakar dropped for Azlan Shah hockey - Apr 24, 2010
- 48 probables selected for national hockey camp - Jul 16, 2011
- Virtually entire hockey squad in WSH list - Nov 17, 2011
- Indian hockey squad for Commonwealth Games announced - Aug 30, 2010
- Hockey team divided over skipper's choice for World Cup (Lead) - Feb 06, 2010
- We have identified a pool of players: Harendra - May 16, 2010
- India need to cover all bases against Pakistan - May 10, 2011
- Tough challenge for India in men's hockey - Sep 09, 2010
- Rajpal, Surinder Kaur to lead hockey teams in Guangzhou - Nov 03, 2010
- India, S. Korea share Azlan Shah cup in rain-disrupted final match - May 16, 2010
- Hockey team for World Cup announced, Rajpal is captain - Feb 06, 2010
- Rajpal, Halappa left out from Olympics hockey probables - Feb 27, 2012
- Ace forward Rajpal axed from hockey squad for Olympic qualifiers - Jan 30, 2012
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