Indian ladies face Australia test in Junior World Cup opener
India, who are placed in Pool C alongside New Zealand, Australia and Russia in the 16-team tournament, will start as underdogs against Australia.
A stern test awaits India when they take on formidable Australia in their opening Pool C match of the women's junior hockey World Cup here Saturday.
The 18-member Indian team, led by defender Sushila Chanu, will start the match as underdogs and have to dish out something extraordinary to upset mighty Australians at the Warsteiner Hockey Park.
India are placed in Pool C along side New Zealand, Australia and Russia in the 16-team tournament.
After Australia, the Indians will play New Zealand on Sunday followed by their last pool match against Russia on July 30.
The other participating nations in the tournament are The Netherlands, Korea, USA and Ghana (Pool A); Argentina, China, South Africa and Canada (Pool B); England, hosts Germany, Belgium and Spain (Pool D).
Top two teams from each pool will enter the quarterfinals. The semi-finals will be played on August 2 with the final scheduled for August 4.
India squad:
Goalkeepers: Sanarik Chanu, Bigan Soy.
Defenders: Pinky Devi, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Manjit Kaur, M N Poonamma, Sushila Chanu (captain), Monika.
Midfielders: Lily Chanu, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Vandana Kataria, Ritusha Arya.
Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani (vice-captain), Anupa Barla, Navneet Kaur.