Dragflick Newsdesk : The Indian males’s hockey workforce would look to proceed its experimentation and check its bench energy forward of a busy calendar yr, regardless of struggling its second defeat within the event, when it takes on Argentina within the two-legged FIH Professional League tie starting right here on Saturday.
The Indians slumped to their second defeat within the FIH Professional League, shedding 3-5 to Spain within the second leg on the Kalinga Stadium right here on February 27.
Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist, India’s different defeat got here towards France (2-5) final month.
However regardless of that, India is presently positioned second within the standings with 12 factors from six matches, together with 4 wins, behind Netherlands (16 factors).
India chief coach Graham Reid continued to check his reserve gamers to broaden the workforce’s base forward of this yr’s Commonwealth Video games and the Asian Video games, which is a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Midfielder Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, a member of the FIH Junior World Cup squad, will make his debut towards world quantity six Argentina. The house workforce may also witness Olympic medallist striker Gurjant Singh’s return from a quick harm lay-off.
The Indians additionally made a number of modifications in the principle squad from the Spain tie. Goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak has taken the place of Suraj Karkera whereas Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh have changed Mandeep Mor and Dipsan Tirkey within the backline.
Jaskaran Singh and Akashdeep Singh made means for Sumit and Rabichandra within the midfield.
The Indian suppose tank continued to repose religion in younger strikers Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh and drag-flicker Jugraj Singh.
In truth, the Indian workforce administration has named Amit Rohidas as skipper rather than Manpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh as his deputy for this tie to broaden the workforce’s management group forward of the essential yr.
The Indians have been hit onerous by late objectives in each the defeats and going ahead, the workforce’s backline must elevate its recreation by leaps and bounds to counter stronger oppositions.
Argentina, alternatively, is positioned sixth with 9 factors from 4 video games.
The customer could be brimming with confidence having defeated England 2-0 and 3-1 in its earlier tie. The Los Leonas additionally surprised Olympic champions Belgium 2-1 earlier than shedding 0-2 within the return leg.
