Gearing up for the first assignment as the coach of the Indian hockey team, Dutchman Paul Van Ass has decided to keep minimal changes so as to not affect the team’s overall momentum.
It was evident in his selection for the team bound for Azlan Shah Cup next month. The coach along with high performance director Roelant Oltmans and the other selectors have restored their faith in the same team which played the Champions Trophy in December last year. The 18-member team will be led by Sardar Singh and vice-captained by P.R. Sreejesh. However, three players have not found his favour.
Unlike the Champions Trophy, where India fielded six defenders, the team will have five for the Azlan Shah. Choosing two drag-flick experts, Van Ass has retained Rupinder Pal Singh and V.R. Raghunath, while Gurjinder Singh finds a miss in the final list.
The mid-field is almost the same except for Allahabad lad Danish Mujtaba making way for Chinglensana Singh. Chinglensana had a good stint with Dabang Mumbai team in the Hockey India League this year, which paved his way in the 18-member team.
In terms of forward-line, the Dutchman has decided to test the younger lot. Mandeep Singh and Satbir Singh have found a place in the team while Lalit Upadhaya doesn’t feature in the final team list.
The goalkeepers have, however, remained unchanged. In a fiery form, P.R. Sreejesh once again will guard India’s goalpost. Harjot Singh, meanwhile, will also be travelling with the team.
Azlan Shah Cup will start from April 5 in Ipoh, Malaysia. In the first match, India will take on South Korea.