New Delhi, Jan 31 (IANS) Asunta Lakra will be leading the 18-member India team for the women’s hockey 2012 Olympic qualifier tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Feb 18-26.
The team was selected on the basis of performances of the core group probables during the recently concluded hockey Test series against Azerbaijan.
Hockey India (HI) selectors, Olympians Balbir Singh, B.P. Govinda, Syed Ali and Rekha Bhide, along with government observers Harbinder Singh and Dilip Tirkey picked up the squad.
Canada, Italy, Poland, South Africa and Ukraine are the participating teams besides India. The winner will qualify for the London Olympics.
India open their campaign against Ukraine, Feb 18. They next face Canada (Feb 19), Poland (Feb 21), South Africa (Feb 22) and Italy (Feb 24).
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Yogita Bali, Savita
Defenders: Jaspreet Kaur, Joydeep Kaur, Subhadra Pradhan
Midfielders: P. Sushila Chanu, Asunta Lakra (captain), Kirandeep Kaur (vice-captain), Deepika, Ritu Rani, Mukta Prava Barla
Forwards: Poonam Rani, Vandana Kataria, Rani, Soundarya Yendala, Anuradha Devi, Rosaline Dung Dung, Jasjeet Kaur Handa
Standbys: Rajani Etimarpu (Goalkeeper), Pinki Devi (Defender), M. N Ponnamma (Midfielder), Deep Grace Ekka (Midfielder), Anupa Barla (Forward), Lily Chanu (Forward)
