Indian women's hockey team to play Tests in Spain

The Indian women's hockey team will play Test matches at Valencia Feb 10-24, in their bid to prepare for the Hockey World League Round 2.

During the 15-day tour, the centre-half Ritu Rani-led team will be playing two matches against Spain followed by two with Dutch hockey clubs, GCHC and HDM. The team will also play against Germany that will give them a fair idea of their strengths and weaknesses.

The Test matches will also provide ground to the entire team to work on their skills and perfect their team coordination.

The preparatory camp for the tour had commenced Jan 10 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here. The series is in preparation for the World League Round 2, to be held here March 7-15.

"The team looks confident ahead of the matches and I am sure they will give a tough time to the opponents. The girls have been practicing for almost a month now and this has helped them to gel well and create a good team coordination on the field," coach C.R. Kumar said in a release.

"The team will leave no stone unturned during the tour and will use this experience in the all important World League Round 2."

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Jaspreet Kaur, Ponnamma Mallamada Narendra, Sunita Lakra, Renuka Yadav, Namita Toppo, Deepika (vice-captain).

Midfielders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lilima Minz, Ritu Rani (captain), Lily Chanu Mayengbam, Navjot Kaur, Monika.

Forwards: Amandeep Kaur, Anupa Barla, Punam Barla, Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Soundarya Yendala.