Ritu Rani to lead women’s hockey squad
Experienced midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member senior women’s team to the FIH Hockey World League Round 3 (semi-finals) at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, beginning on June 13.
Chanchan Devi was named Ritu’s deputy for the tournament.
The team though will miss the services of key forward Rani Rampal, who is recuperating from a back injury. “She still needed some time before being back to full fitness, and we wanted her to be in top shape for the Junior Women’s World Cup in August,” said government observer Harbinder Singh.
Deep Grace Ekka and Kirandeep Kaur are the experienced names in defence, while Poonam Rani and Roselin Dung Dung will spearhead the attackline.
Rani, along with Chanchan and Vanadana Katariya, lend balance to the midfield.
India, who qualified for the event in February this year by winning the World League Round 2 tournament here, will face New Zealand in their opening Pool B match on June 13, followed by Belgium (June 14) and Germany (June 16).
The FIH World League is a qualification tournament for the 2014 women’s World Cup.
Holland, Korea, Japan and Chile are placed in Pool A.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajni Etimarpul; Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Kirandeep Kaur, Namita Toppo, Sushila Chanu, Sunita Lakra, Manjeet Kaur; Midfielders: Ritu Rani, Chanchan Devi, Navjot Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Lily Chanu; Forwards: Anupa Barla, Poonam Rani, Roselin Dung Dung, Lilima Minz, Ritusha Arya.
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