Asian Games 2014: Indian hockey squads and schedule of matches

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 25^th September. The women’s team will take on Thailand in their first group match 22^nd Septmeber, followed by China 24^th Septmeber and Malaysia 26^th 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.

Indian Men’s hockey team prepares for the Asian games 2014

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)

Edited by Staff Editor