New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Defender Anmol Ekka will lead a 22-member Indian Junior (U-21) men’s hockey team at the upcoming exposure tour of Belgium, scheduled from July 5 to 18.
The tour will be the team’s first assignment under coach Frederic Soyez of France and will serve as a key preparatory phase ahead of the Junior Asia Cup later this year.
The young Indian side will face some of Europe’s strongest hockey nations during the tour, playing two matches each against Austria and Belgium, and one match each against Germany and the Netherlands.
The exposure tour is expected to provide valuable international match experience while helping the team test its combinations and playing style ahead of the continental tournament.
The goalkeeping unit comprises Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia, while Anmol leads the backline that also has Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey and V Manimaran.
The midfield will manned by Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik and Ritik Lakra.
The forward line consists of Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd Konain Dad and Gurusewak Singh.
Four members of the squad — Anmol, Adrohit, Yadav and Kullu — were also part of the Indian team who secured a bronze medal at the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year.
“I expect this tour to help us progress on several levels. First, in terms of our game, by improving our connections, our tactical discipline and our efficiency in key moments. Then on the human side, by strengthening unity and confidence within the group,” coach Soyez said.
“Finally, I hope this tour will give the players a better understanding of the demands of top-level international hockey and of what we need to put in place to perform consistently over time.” India will face Austria on July 7 and 8 before taking on hosts Belgium on July 10 July.
They will next take on Germany on July 13, Belgium again on July 14 and conclude the tour against the Netherlands on July 17.
The Squad ======= Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia.
Defenders: Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, V Manimaran.
Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, Ritik Lakra.
Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd Konain Dad, Gurusewak Singh. PTI SSC SSC TAP
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