Hockey India names 23-man squad for European tour

Hockey India [ Images ] named a 23-member squad for a 25-day European tour, starting later this month, where Spaniard Jose Brasa will make his debut as the national team's coach.

Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh has been retained captain of the side for the tour, on which India will play 12 Test matches, against England [ Images ], Belgium, Spain and Holland.

India is scheduled to play four Tests against England from July 27 to August 2 in Birmingham after which the team will head straight to Belgium for three Tests from August 4-7 in Antwerp, followed by three matches against Spain (August 9-12) in Terassa and two games against Holland (August 14-16) in Amstelveen.

The 23-member team comprises two goalkeepers, two defenders, eight midfielders and 11 forwards.

The team will be accompanied by a nine-member support staff, which, apart from chief coach Brasa, includes Harendra Singh and Romes James as coach and assistant coach.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Adrian D'Souza, Baljit Singh

Defenders: Sandeep Singh (Capt), V Raghunath.

Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Vikram Pillay, Prabodh Tirkey, Sardar Singh, Ajitesh Roy, Ignace Tirkey, V S Vinaya, Dhananjay Mahadhik.

Forwards: Tushar Khandker, Shivendra Singh, Rajpal Singh, Arjun Halappa, Prabhjot Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Hari Prasad, S V Sunil, Bharat Chikara, Ravi Pal Singh, Birendra Lakra.

Officials: Jose Brasa (chief coach), Harendra Singh (coach), Romeo James (assistant coach), Jesus Garcia Pallares (human performance analyst),  Lt Col B K Nayak (doctor), Pradip Dutta (trainer), Shrikant Iyengar (physiotherapist), BR Barafsingh (Masseur), Jagbir Singh (manager).

Schedule:

July 27: 1st Test v England

July 29: 2nd Test v England

July 31: 3rd Test v England

August 2: 4th Test v England

August 4: 1st Test v Belgium

August 5: 2nd Test v Belgium

August 7: 3rd Test v Belgium

August 9: 1st Test v Spain

August 10: 2nd Test v Spain

August 12: 3rd Test v Spain

August 14: 1st Test v Holland

August 16: 2nd Test v Holland.