• Source:JND
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Hockey India on Thursday announced the squad for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023, scheduled to be played from November 29 to December 10 in Santiago, Chile.

India are clubbed with Germany, Belgium and Canada in Pool C and will begin the campaign against Canada on November 29 followed by matches against Germany and Belgium on November 30 and December 2 respectively.

Netherlands, South Africa, Australia and hosts Chile are placed in Pool A while Argentina, Spain, Zimbabwe and Korea are grouped in Pool B. In Pool D, England, USA, New Zealand and Japan will vie for a place in the quarterfinals.

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The quarter-final matches will be played on December 6 and the four teams will face off in the semifinals on December 8 while the title encounter will take place on December 10.

The Indian team will be led by Preeti while Rutuja Dadaso Pisal has been named vice-captain for the tournament. In the last edition of the coveted tournament, India finished fourth and missed the bronze medal by a whisker.

The Indian squad includes goalkeepers Khushboo and Madhuri Kindo. Defenders Neelam, Preeti, Jyoti Singh and Ropni Kumari have been named in the squad along with midfielders Mahima Tete, Manju Chorsiya, Jyoti Chhatri, Hina Bano, Sujata Kujur and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal.

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The forward line features Sakshi Rana, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Deepika Soreng, Dipi Monika Toppo and Sunelita Toppo, while defender Thounaojam Nirupama Devi and midfielder Jyothi Edula have been named as replacement players for the marquee event.

Speaking about the team selection, Indian Women's Junior Team Coach Tushar Khandker, said, “We have an incredible talent pool, it wasn't easy to select the final squad, but I believe we have chosen the best one for the World Cup and these players have worked very hard in the past couple of months leading up to the event. The players are excited, they have performed really well in the recent past and it's a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their talent on the prestigious platform."

"We will have our training and practice matches in Argentina before heading to Chile, so that will help us in acclimatising to the conditions and setting the tempo for the Junior World Cup," he added.

Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team for FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2023:

Goalkeepers: Khushboo, Madhuri Kindo

Defenders: Neelam, Preeti (C), Jyoti Singh, Ropni Kumari

Mid-fielders: Mahima Tete, Manju Chorsiya, Jyoti Chhatri, Hina Bano, Sujata Kujur, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (VC)

Forwards: Sakshi Rana, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Deepika Soreng, Dipi Monika Toppo and Sunelita Toppo

Reserves: Thounaojam Nirupama Devi and Jyothi Edula.