New Delhi: Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, despite his goal-scoring spree in the ongoing Hockey India League, has been left out of the Indian squad even as India made four changes in their team for the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 to be held here from February 18 to 24.
Sandeep, who is the highest goal-scorer with 11 goals in the HIL, failed to earn a place in the 18-member Indian team to be captained by Sardar Singh in the upcoming tournament to be held at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
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List of the players is as under-
GOAL KEEPERS
1. PR Sreejesh
2. PT Rao
FULLBACKS
3. VR Raghunath (Vice - Captain)
4. Rupinderpal Singh
5. Harbir Singh
HALF BACKS
6. Birendra Lakra
7. Manpreet Singh
8. Kothajit Singh Khadangbam
9. Sardar Singh (Captain)
10. Gurjinder Singh
FORWARDS
11. Danish Mujtaba
12. Nithin Thimmaiah
13. Mandeep Singh
14. Malik Singh
15. SV Sunil
16. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam
17. Dharamvir Singh
18. Gurvinder Singh Chandi
STANDBYS
1. Sushant Tirkey (Goalkeeper)
2. Sandeep Singh (Fullback)
3. MB Aiyappa (Halfback)
4. Gurmail Singh (Halfback)
5. Akashdeep Singh (Forward)
6. Imran Khan (Forward)
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Instead, Sandeep has been picked as one of the six standby players. The team was selected by Hockey India selector Syed Ali, chief coach Michael Nobbs and Government observer Harbinder Singh, who selected team on the basis of their recent performances in HIL, according to a HI statement.
Drag-flick specialist V.R. Raghunath will continue to be Sardar’s deputy in the team announced today.
The preparatory camp for the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 will start at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi from February 11 and will continue till the commencement of the tournament.
In the men’s category, the hosts India (FIH World Ranking 11) are joined in the round-robin event by Ireland (15), China (18), Oman (36), Bangladesh (40) and Fiji (71).
Indian men team will open their campaign against Fiji on 18 February followed by match against Oman (20 Feb), Ireland (21 Feb), China (23 Feb) and Bangladesh (24 Feb). All India matches will be played under flood lights.
This tournament is a part of the qualification league for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2014 to be held in The Hague, Netherlands.
By Indian Sports News Network
