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Experienced Odisha defender Sunita Lakra will lead defending champions India in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament, scheduled to be held at Donghae City, Korea from May 13 to 20, 2018. Four other Odisha players have been included in the 18-member team, which was announced by Hockey India today. They are: Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Anupa Barla.
Altogether five team would compete in the Asian Champions Trophy. Other four nations are: China, Korea, Japan and Malaysia. Sunita was handed the leadership responsibility in the absence of regular skipper Rani Rampal, who has been rested for the tournament. Goalkeeper Savita will be the vice-captain.
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Experienced Deepika, Deep Grace Ekka, Suman Devi Thoudam and Gurjit Kaur, who doubles up as a drag-flicker, will man the defensive line while the midfield will feature Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur and Udita. India’s forwardline will be led by Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur and Anupa Barla.
The team will be hoping to ride on the good show at the recently-concluded Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where it entered the semifinals after 12 years, eventually finishing fourth. In 2016, the Indian team had defeated China in the final to win the previous edition of Asian Champions Trophy. The girls followed up this victory with a successful outing at the 2017 Asia Cup where they beat China again in the summit clash.
This year, the team will begin its campaign against Japan on May 13. Interestingly, it is expected to be Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne’s first assignment with the team following his return to the women’s camp after being in charge of the senior men’s side for eight months. Following a disastrous Commonwealth Games outing, Marijne was yesterday forced to swap places with Harendra Singh by Hockey India.
INDIAN WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Savita, Swati. Defenders: Deepika, Sunita Lakra (C), Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Suman Devi Thoudam. Midfielders: Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Udita. Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Anupa Barla.
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TOP: Indian women`s hockey team pose for the 5th Asian Champions Trophy 2018.
RIGHT: File photo of newly appointed Indian women hockey team captain Sunita Lakra of Odisha.
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