New Delhi, India – Hockey India revealed the lineup for the Indian men’s hockey team that will participate in the upcoming 100th anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Terrassa, Spain, from July 25 to 30. The four-nation tournament will see the Indian team go head-to-head against England, Netherlands, and the hosts, Spain, according to The Hindu. This tournament holds great significance as it serves as vital preparation for the highly anticipated Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, followed by the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.
The 24-member Indian squad will be led by the exceptional dragflicker and defender, Harmanpreet Singh, while midfielder Hardik Singh will serve as the vice-captain. Speaking about the team selection, head coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the balanced mix of experience and youthful energy that the selected players bring. He emphasized the goal of fostering a cohesive unit capable of competing at the highest level.
Fulton stated, “The Four Nations tournament in Spain will provide us with the perfect platform to fine-tune our strategies and test our skills against top-quality opponents. It will enable us to identify areas for improvement, playing a vital role in our preparations for the Asian Champions Trophy and the Asian Games. We are confident that this performance will help us gear up for the challenges that lie ahead.”
The Indian team for the Spain tour comprises a talented group of players across different positions. In the goalkeeping department, PR Sreejesh and Krishna Bahadur Pathak will be the last line of defense. The defensive line will be fortified by the likes of Jarmanpreet Singh, Neelam Sanjeep Access, Manpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (Captain), Varun Kumar, and Sanjay.
In the midfield, the team will rely on the skills of vice-captain Hardik Singh, along with Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, Neelkanth Sharma, Shamsher Singh, and Rajkumar Pal. The forward line will feature Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Pawan, Dilpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, and Karthi Selvam.
This tour provides a valuable opportunity for the Indian team to gauge their performance against strong international contenders and fine-tune their strategies ahead of crucial tournaments. As they face tough competition from England, Netherlands, and Spain, the team aims to identify areas for improvement and further strengthen their game. The Hero Asian Champions Trophy and the Hangzhou Asian Games loom on the horizon, and the Indian team is determined to showcase their prowess on the field.
The Indian men’s hockey team, under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, is set to embark on a challenging journey as they represent their nation in the 100th anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament. With their eyes on victory, they aim to leave a lasting impression and continue their pursuit of glory in the upcoming tournaments.
