Bengaluru: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team left to take part in the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier today. The tournament will be held from 25th to 28th August in Salalah, Oman.
India have been placed in the Elite Pool along with Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. While the second, Challengers Pool, consists of Hong Kong China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Iran, and Oman.
The squad heading to Salalah will be led by Team Captain Navjot Kaur and Jyoti will be the Vice Captain. The team includes goalkeeper Bansari Solanki. In the defence, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Mahima Chaudhary, and Sonia Devi Kshetrimayum will be in action. Captain Navjot Kaur and Ajmina Kujur will hold the midfield area, while Mariana Kujur, Jyoti, and Dipi Monika Toppo will be playing as forwards.
India will compete against their Elite counterparts in a bid to finish in the top two spots in their pool and qualify for the Semi-Finals, starting with their clash against Malaysia on 25th August. Followed by contests with Japan on 26th August and Thailand on 27th August.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Coach Soundarya Yendala expressed her thoughts ahead of the tournament, “We cannot wait to get on with the tournament. A lot of effort has gone into the preparation for the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier and the aim is to play well throughout the tournament and hopefully reap the benefits of our hard work with winning the Tournament.”
Team Captain Navjot Kaur was bullish about the chances of India winning the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier. “We have to face some strong teams in our pool but with the amount of work that we have put in to be ready for this tournament I am confident that we will put our best foot forward and return home, medals in hand, “she signed off.
Schedule of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team:
On 25th August 2023, India Vs Malaysia at 1530 hrs IST.
On 26th August 2023, India vs Japan at 2130 hrs IST.
On 27th August 2023, India vs Thailand at 1430 hrs IST.
