Suman Devi Thoudam to lead Indian junior women's hockey team for U-21 tournament in Ireland
Hockey India has announced an 18-member junior women’s squad for the upcoming U-21 International 4-Nations Tournament in Ireland from May 31 to June 4 and matches against Belarus. Suman Devi Thoudam will lead the Indian junior women’s team with Gagandeep Kaur as her deputy in the tour.
The Indian team will first travel to Dublin, Ireland where they will play a match each against the Irish National team and Canada Junior Women's team on 28 May and 29 May 2019, respectively. This will be followed by the Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International 4-Nations Tournament featuring India, Ireland, Canada and Scotland which is scheduled to be held from 31 May - 4th June 2019.Â
The team will then play yet another match against the Irish National Team on 6 June 2019 following which, the Indian Junior Women's team will travel to Belarus to play five matches with the host nation's Senior, Junior and Development teams starting 9 June 2019.
The Indian Junior Women's Team will be Captained by Suman Devi Thoudam and Vice-Captained by Gagandeep Kaur. Bichu Devi Kharibam and Khushboo have been selected as the Goalkeepers who will guard the goal-posts, while Defenders Ishika Chaudhary, Priyanka, Mahima Choudhary, Simran Singh will join Suman Devi Thoudam and Gagandeep Kaur in the backline. Â
Midfielders Preeti, Mariana Kujur, Chetna, Ajmina Kujur and Baljeet Kaur will command the mid-field for India, while the forward-line will feature Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Sharmila Devi, Reet and Lalrindiki.
Speaking about the team selection, Coach of Indian Junior Women's Hockey team, Baljeet Singh, said, "We have a good few weeks of matches coming up in Ireland and Belarus against some of the stronger teams in the world.”
“We have selected our team keeping in mind the challenges we are going to face there, and I am sure both the tours will help our players in gaining further experience of playing quality teams at a high intensity. I am looking forward to seeing our team excel in foreign conditions."
GOALKEEPERS
Bichu Devi Kharibam, Khushboo
DEFENDERS
Ishika Chaudhary, Suman Devi Thoudam (Captain), Priyanka, Mahima Choudhary, Simran Singh, Gagandeep Kaur (Vice-Captain)
MIDFIELDERS
Preeti, Mariana Kujur, Chetna, Ajmina Kujur , Baljeet Kaur
FORWARDS
Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Sharmila Devi, Reet, Lalrindiki