'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian Hockey team won the bronze medal at the 2010 Asian games and this time the team’s eyes would be at the gold medal at the upcoming 17th Asian Games that would kick start from September 19 to October 4 at Incheon, South Korea.
Remember the winner of the 2014 Asian games (hockey) will automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympics which will be held in Brazil. Hockey India has announced both the men’s and women’s squad and is expecting a fine display from both the teams for the upcoming mega event. Sardar Singh will lead the men’s team while Midfielder Ritu Rani will skipper the Indian women's hockey team at the Asian Games.
The men’s team will feature in Pool B with Arch-rivals Pakistan, Oman, China and Sri Lanka. The big match against Pakistan will be played on 25th September. The women’s team will take on Thailand in their first group match 22nd Septmeber, followed by China 24th Septmeber and Malaysia 26th Septmeber. However, It will be a tough task for the women’s team to achieve any medals at the tournament as there are three higher ranked teams are participating in the event.
China is currently ranked as no. 5 follwed by South Korea (9) and Japan (10). Indian men’s team currently ranked at 9th position in the world ranking while women’s team is currently ranked as no. 13 team in the world.
Men’s Hockey:
The Groups (top two from each group qualify for semi-finals)
Pool A: South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh, Singapore
Pool B: India, Pakistan, Oman, China, Sri Lanka
India Squad
Goalkeepers: P R Sreejesh (vice-captain)
Defenders: Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Rupinder Pal Singh, Kothajit Singh, V R Raghunath
Midfielders: Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh (captain), Danish Mujtaba, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Manpreet Singh
Forwards: Ramandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh, S V Sunil, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Nikkin Thimmaiah.
India's Fixtures (all times in IST)
Venue: Seonhak Hockey Stadium
September 21 (Sunday): India Vs Sri Lanka (1.30 PM)
September 23 (Tuesday): India Vs Oman (1.30 PM)
September 25 (Thursday): India Vs Pakistan (1.30 PM)
September 27 (Saturday): India Vs China (1.30 PM)
Women’s Hockey:
The Groups (top two from each group qualify for semi-finals)
Pool A: China, India, Malaysia, Thailand
Pool B: South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong
India Squad
Goalkeeper: Savita
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Deepika (vice-captain), Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo, Jaspreet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Monika
Midfielders: Ritu Rani (captain), Lilima Minz, Amandeep Kaur, Chanchan Devi Thokchom
Forwards: Rani, Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur
India's Fixtures (all times in IST)
Venue: Seonhak Hockey Stadium
September 22 (Monday): India Vs Thailan (1.30 PM)
September 24 (Wednesday): India Vs China (1.30 PM)
September 26 (Friday): India Vs Malaysia (1.30 PM)
