Hockey India today named an 18-member team to represent the country in the second Under-18 Boys Asia Cup to be held in Yangon, Myanmar from November 11 to 22.

Mid-fielder Manpreet Singh has been named the captain of the side which will have two goalkeepers, three full backs, six mid-fielders and seven forwards.

India are the defending champions of the tournament which was last held eight years ago in 2001. The event is of great significance as the winner of this edition will qualify for the Youth Olympics to be held next year in Singapore.

The Indian boys have been placed in Group A alongwith arch rivals Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei.

India will open their campaign against Sri Lanka on November 13, followed by matches against Malaysia (Nov 14), Pakistan (Nov 16) and Chinese Taipei.

The following players will represent India in the 2nd Under 18 Boys Asia Cup to be played at Yangon, Myanmar from 11-22 November 2009.

Goalkeepers

P. Naveen Kumar
Upraj Singh

Full Backs

Amit Rohidas
Chandan Singh
Love Deep Singh

Midfielders

Sushil Xalxo
Barkat Singh
Manpreet Singh (Captain)
Manmeet Raj Singhv
Bachiter Singh
Devender Sunil Walmiki

Forwards

Arman Qureshi
Gurjant Singh
Naveen Sangwan
Sukhdev Singh
Talwinder Singh
Gunasekhar
Pramod Venkatramana

India are the defending champions of this tournament which was last played in 2001.
The winner of this edition will qualify for the Youth Olympic Games to be held at Singapore in 2010.

India is drawn in Group A with Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei.

India’s Pool matches are as under :


13 Nov. vs Sri Lanka
14 Nov. vs Malaysia
16 Nov. vs Pakistan
17 Nov. vs Chinese Taipei