Ritu Rani to skipper India in Asia Cup hockey

Ritu Rani (#14)

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) Ritu Rani will be captaining the 18-member Indian women’s hockey squad in the 8th Women Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sep 21-27.

Chanchan Devi Thokchom has been appointed as the vice-captain.

The 18-member team and six stand-bys were selected by Hockey India (HI) selectors B.P. Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, chief coach Neil Hawgood, coach I.S Gill and scientific advisor Matthew Tredrea alongwith government observer Harbinder Singh.

The selection trials were conducted at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) Patiala Aug 30-31. The team has been training at Patiala from Aug 8 and will depart for Malaysia Sep 16.

India are in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while South Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong Sep 21, followed by China (Sep 22) and hosts Malaysia (Sep 24).

The Asia Cup is the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup 2014 to be played in The Hague, the Netherlands from May 31- June 14.

Goalkeepers: Rajani Etimarpu, Savita

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Joydeep Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Sunita Lakra, Deepika, Namita Toppo, P Sushila Chanu, M.N.Ponnamma

Midfielders: Ritu Rani (captain), Chanchan Devi Thokchom (vice-captain), Soundarya Yendala, Lily Chanu

Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thokchom

Standbys: Sanarik Chanu, Asunta Lakra, Monika Malik, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz, Anupa Barla