Hockey India confirms squad for upcoming Japan Asian Games

Hockey India officially confirmed a 20-member men's squad on Wednesday for the 20th Asian Games. Matches will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Star defender Harmanpreet Singh retains his role as captain for the upcoming tournament. Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, currently India's most-capped player, brings vital experience to the roster. India enters this tournament as defending champions after claiming gold at the 2023 Hangzhou games under Harmanpreet's leadership.

Balanced mix of fresh talent and proven stars

Goalkeeping duties fall to Mohith HS and Suraj Karkera. The defensive line features captain Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, and Yashdeep Siwach. Odisha native Amit Rohidas brings robust defensive skills, adding significant regional pride and value to the backline. Midfield play will rely on Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, and Vivek Sagar Prasad. Up front, attackers include Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Abhishek.

Coach focuses on direct Olympic qualification

India competes in Pool A against host nation Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Twelve teams, split equally into two groups, will battle for the gold medal at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara. Chief Coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the selection. "The Indian squad selected for the Asian Games is very experienced," Fulton stated. He further noted, "We look forward to the challenge of playing in Japan where the winner qualifies for the LA 2028 Olympics, and that is the ultimate goal for us as a team and as a nation."

Captain urges team to embrace tournament pressure

Harmanpreet Singh feels positive about delivering strong performances during the continental event. "Be it the youngsters or the senior players, I have complete faith in all the players to make good use of the opportunities they get," he shared. He emphasized that their main target is to not take pressure, enjoy the game, and understand their responsibilities. India opens their campaign against Indonesia on September 20. Following this, they face Sri Lanka on September 22, Korea on September 24, Japan on September 26, and Bangladesh on September 28.