Dipsan Tirkey to lead India U-23 hockey team at the six-nations tournament in Belgium

07/02/2018

Odisha defender Dipsan Tirkey will lead the Indian U-23 hockey squad that will play the six-nations tournament in Belgium from July 14 onwards. In addition to hosts’ Belgium and India, the other participating countries in the competition are England, Ireland, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

The final edition of the Champions Trophy, first played in 1978, was won by the Australians after 60 minutes of an intense battle and a nervy shootout against a spirited Indian side in Breda on Sunday. India played an outstanding tournament and the expectations will be on the rise from Indian hockey in the near future based on the stunning display in the Netherlands.

The next challenge that awaits Indian hockey is the six-nations tournament in Belgium that will begin on July 14 and Dipsan Tirkey is slated to lead a young 18-man squad that will travel to Belgium to battle it out against the hosts’ Belgium, England, Ireland, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.

“The U-23 Six Nations Tournament in Belgium will prove to be a good test for our younger players of the Core Group. We will be playing against some of the best youth teams from around the world, which will help in giving our players the exposure they require.

“This tour will also help in developing our team that will take part in the Sultan of Johor Cup to be held in October later this year. It will be a crucial tournament for some of the athletes as this will be their first major international exposure, but the majority of the players have represented the junior/ senior men’s Team which is always a good sign,” said David John, Director to Press Trust India.

Squads

Goalkeeper: Pankaj Kumar Rajak, Prashant Kumar Chauhan

Defenders: Dipsan Tirkey, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Pardeep Singh, Mandeep Mor, Somjeet and Mohd. Faraz; Midfield: Hardik Singh, Dharminder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Vishal Antil and Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem

Forward: Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Abharan Sudev Belimagga, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen and Mohammad Umar.