Manpreet Singh to lead India at HWL semis in England

Mid-fielder Manpreet Singh will lead the Indian's Men's Hockey Team at next month's 3 Nations Invitational Tournament in Germany and the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi Final in England, Hockey India announced on Thursday.

Manpreet will be replacing goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was India's captain at recently concluded 26th Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.

Sreejesh sustained an injury while playing against Australia in the league stage of the tournament.

The 18-member team will play two matches each against hosts Germany and Belgium before arriving in London for Hockey World League Semi Final where India are grouped with Canada, Netherlands, Pakistan and Scotland in Pool B.

The team led by Manpreet Singh along with deputy skipper Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will see Pardeep Mor, Kothajit Singh join the defence line along with Surender Kumar, Rupinder Pal Singh and Harmanpreet Singh.

Harmanpreet and Rupinder will continue to be entrusted with the responsibilities of converting those crucial penalty corners while Akash Chikte and Vikas Dahiya will carry the onus of goalkeepers for the team in the absence of Sreejesh.

The midfield will feature S.K Uthappa, Satbir Singh, Harjeet Singh, Chinglensana Singh and the experienced Manpreet Singh and Sardar Singh. Both Uthappa and Satbir were rested for the previous tournament in Malaysia where the team won Bronze Medal.

Forward-line will see Ramandeep Singh come back into the fold as he joins SV Sunil, Akashdeep Singh, Talwinder Singh and Mandeep Singh in the attack.

"The idea was to bring in a couple of changes in positions after Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. Like I had said before, there are three tours this year including Azlan Shah Cup where we would like to give opportunities to younger players," stated chief coach Roelant Oltmans about the team composition.

"Though we are taking a few players who are not that experienced, we still want to do well and the aim is to finish in Top 2 at the Men's Hockey World League Semi Final and I look forward to see how the boys will perform against big teams," he added.

According to the Dutchman, the biggest take away from the season opener in Malaysia was the team's improvised style of play and ball possession.

"Our style of play was good, we were fast and also when we compared statistics, we had better ball possession (about 62 percent on an average) which is a big improvement from previous years," he said.

"But I would like to see our conversion rate in field goals and PC to improve from a 20 per cent and 24 per cent respectively. We will be working on bringing in small variations in those aspects during the two-week camp in Bengaluru," stated Oltmans.

The team resumed the national camp on May 14 and will continue till May 28 before they leave for Dusseldorf, Germany on May 29.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers--- Akash Chikte, Vikas Dahiya

Defenders---Pardeep Mor, Kothajit Singh, Surender Kumar, Rupinderpal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh

Midfielders---Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (Vice Captain), S K Uthappa, Satbir Singh, Sardar Singh, Manpreet Singh (Captain), Harjeet Singh

Forwards---Ramandeep Singh, SV Sunil, Talwinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Akashdeep Singh.