KOLKATA: Three players from Odisha have been included in the Indian squad for the FIH Junior World Cup in men’s hockey to be held from December 5 to 16 in Kuala Lumpur. They are Amandeep LakraSunil Jojo and Sudeep Chirmako.
Although both Jojo and Chirmako played in the last World Cup held in Bhubaneswar in 2021, this will be Lakra’s first outing at the big-ticket event. He recently finished top scorer in the Sultan of Johor Cup with six goals and also played a key role in helping India win the Junior Asia Cup title earlier in the year.
As for Chirmakoo, he is the most experienced of the three and also participated in the 2018 Youth Olympics where India won the silver medal. In last year’s Sultan of Johor Cup, he produced a man-of-the-match performance to help India defeat Australia in the final and lift the trophy.
But it will be a whole new challenge for the trio at the World Cup, where India have been placed in Group C along with Canada, Korea and Spain. But having failed to finish on the podium at home last time out, they will be more than eager for the title this time around.
Meanwhile, Sunit Lakra – also from Odisha – remained in the team as a substitute player.
Uttam Singh will lead the team while Araijeet Singh Hundal has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Commenting on the team selection, Indian Junior Men’s Team coach CR Kumar said, “This time we are fielding a well-rounded, formidable squad that represents a significant shift in our approach to the Junior World Cup. In addition, we take inspiration from the legacy created by the 2016 Junior World Cup winning team and strive to live up to the expectations it has set.
The team will open their campaign against Korea on December 5 and take on Spain on December 7 before playing their final group game two days later against Canada.
Lineup:
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Ranvijay Singh Yadav; Defenders: Shardanand Tiwari, Amandeep Lakra, Rohit, Sunil JoJo, Amir Ali; Midfielders: Vishnukant Singh, Poovanna CB, Rajinder Singh, Amandeep, Aditya Singh; Forwards: Uttam Singh, Aditya Lalage, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Sudeep Chirmako, Boby Singh Dhami
Substitutes: Sukhvinder, Sunit Lakra
Although both Jojo and Chirmako played in the last World Cup held in Bhubaneswar in 2021, this will be Lakra’s first outing at the big-ticket event. He recently finished top scorer in the Sultan of Johor Cup with six goals and also played a key role in helping India win the Junior Asia Cup title earlier in the year.
As for Chirmakoo, he is the most experienced of the three and also participated in the 2018 Youth Olympics where India won the silver medal. In last year’s Sultan of Johor Cup, he produced a man-of-the-match performance to help India defeat Australia in the final and lift the trophy.
But it will be a whole new challenge for the trio at the World Cup, where India have been placed in Group C along with Canada, Korea and Spain. But having failed to finish on the podium at home last time out, they will be more than eager for the title this time around.
Meanwhile, Sunit Lakra – also from Odisha – remained in the team as a substitute player.
Uttam Singh will lead the team while Araijeet Singh Hundal has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Commenting on the team selection, Indian Junior Men’s Team coach CR Kumar said, “This time we are fielding a well-rounded, formidable squad that represents a significant shift in our approach to the Junior World Cup. In addition, we take inspiration from the legacy created by the 2016 Junior World Cup winning team and strive to live up to the expectations it has set.
The team will open their campaign against Korea on December 5 and take on Spain on December 7 before playing their final group game two days later against Canada.
Lineup:
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Ranvijay Singh Yadav; Defenders: Shardanand Tiwari, Amandeep Lakra, Rohit, Sunil JoJo, Amir Ali; Midfielders: Vishnukant Singh, Poovanna CB, Rajinder Singh, Amandeep, Aditya Singh; Forwards: Uttam Singh, Aditya Lalage, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Sudeep Chirmako, Boby Singh Dhami
Substitutes: Sukhvinder, Sunit Lakra
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