New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS): Defender Deep Grace Ekka will lead the junior Indian women's hockey team to New Zealand for a six-match Test series Nov 5-13.
The 18-member squad was named by Hockey India (HI) selectors B.P. Govinda, R.P. Singh, Mamta Kharb, director high performance Roelant Oltmans, coach N.S. Saini and physiotherapist Chitrangana Modi on the basis of trials conducted in Bhopal Oct 20. This is a preparatory tour for the Junior Women's Asia Cup to be held next year.
“The Junior Women Asia Cup is an important tournament as a win there will secure qualification for the 2016 Junior Women World Cup," HI secretary general Md. Mushtaque Ahmad said Saturday.
"Keeping the importance of the tournament in mind we decided to send the team to New Zealand for this Test series as they will have exposure of playing outside the country and in completely different climatic conditions. The selected team has the right combination and will give a tough time to the opponents."
Forward Navjot Kaur will serve as Deep's deputy and the matches will be played Nov 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Sonal Miz, Inderpreet Kaur
Defenders: Priya, Pooja Rani, Karishma Yadav, Deep Grace Ekka (Captain), Jaspreet Kaur, Manjit Kaur
Midfielders: Sonika, Preeti Dubey, Lilima Minz, Navneet Kaur, Namita Toppo
Forwards: Priyanka, Navpreet Kaur, Navjot Kaur (vice-captain), Poonam Barla, Anupa Barla