Shivender and Sandeep Singh standbye for Asian Champions Trophy

NEW DELHI, December 7: Stars Sandeep Singh and Shivendra Singh are in teh standbye as India announces 18-member team for the Asian Champions Trophy.

The duo, who were dropped among others like Tushar Khandker and Bharat Chetri form part of the eight standbyes.

Sardar Singh will continue to lead the side with VR Raghunath as his deputy.

India will look forward to defend its title in the 2nd Asian Champions Trophy to be played on a round-robin league format at Doha, Qatar from 20-27 December 2012.

India is the defending champion as they defeated Pakistan 4-2 via penalty shootout in a nerve-wrecking final to clinch the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament played at Ordos Hockey Stadium, China in 2011. The high voltage clash between India and Pakistan remained goalless after normal and extra time but finally ended into India winning it via penalty shootout.

The 2012 tournament will also feature China, Japan, Malaysia, Oman and Pakistan. India will open its campaign against China on 20 December 2012 followed by matches against Japan, Oman, Pakistan and Malaysia on 21, 23, 24 and 26 December respectively.

The 18 member squad will be captained by Midfielder Sardar Singh while fullback VR Raghunath will be the Vice-Captain.

GOAL KEEPERS

1. PR Sreejesh

2. PT Rao

FULLBACKS

3. VR Raghunath (Vice-Captain)

4. Rupinderpal Singh

5. Harbir Singh

HALF BACKS

6. Sardar Singh (Captain)

7. Kothajit Singh

8. Birendra Lakra

9. Manpreet Singh

10. Gurmail Singh

FORWARDS

11. SV Sunil

12. Gurvinder Singh Chandi

13. Danish Mujtaba

14. S.K. Uthappa

15. Nithin Thimmaiah

16. Yuvraj Walmiki

17. Dharamvir Singh

18. Akashdeep Singh

STANDBYES

1. Srenivas Rao – Goalkeeper

2. Sandeep Singh – Defender

3. Amit Rohidas- Defender

4. MB Aiyappa – Halfback

5. Shivendra Singh – Forward

6. Chinglensana Singh- Forward

7. Pradhanna Sommanna- Forward

8. PL Thimmanna- Forward