Sports News India Look To Defend Title On Home Soil In Womens Act Hockey Latestly

Sports News India Look To Defend Title On Home Soil In Womens Act Hockey Latestly - Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. Having struggled to win matches the entire year the Indian womens hockey team will look to start afresh in a new Olympic cycle by defending its Asian Champions Trophy ACT title at home beginning with a clash against lower-ranked Malaysia here on Monday. Rajgir Bihar Nov 10 PTI Having struggled to win matches the entire year the Indian womens hockey team will look to start afresh in a new Olympic cycle by defending its Asian Champions Trophy ACT title at home beginning with a clash against lower-ranked Malaysia here on Monday. India have won the title twice in 2016 Singapore and 2023 Ranchi in the seven editions of the tournament so far. Also Read SMAT 2024-25 Prithvi Shaw Named in Mumbai Cricket Teams Probables for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. After failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics the Indian team lost 13 matches and won just two with one draw out of 16 in the womens FIH Pro League this year but will hope to make a turnaround in their fortune with a strong performance in the ACT. India have fielded a mixed team consisting of youth and experienced players for the tournament under the leadership of Salima Tete. Striker Navneet Kaur will serve as Salimas deputy as India enter the competition with high expectations. Also Read Coco Gauff Wins WTA Finals 2024 for First Time by Rallying To Beat Paris Olympics Champion Zheng Qinwen. The team will face stiff competition from five other nations including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China Japan Korea Malaysia and Thailand in the battle for continental supremacy. The Indian defence will be anchored by a solid line-up featuring Udita Jyoti Ishika Chaudhary Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke. In the mid-field captain Tete will be supported by Neha Sharmila Devi Manisha Chauhan Sunelita Toppo and Lalremsiami all known for their dynamic play. The forward line-up has the likes of Navneet Kaur Sangita Kumari Deepika Preeti Dubey and Beauty Dungdung leading the charge. The goalkeeping duties will be shared between the experienced Savita -- also former captain -- and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam. Sushila and Beauty Dungdung will be making a return to the team after successfully completing their rehabilitation. The Indians will definitely start as one of the favourites in the tournament along with reigning Olympic silver medallist China who are ranked sixth in the world. South Korea are the most successful team in the tournament having won it thrice while Japan had won it twice. Its the start of a new journey for the Indian womens hockey team after having missed out on qualification for the Paris Olympics. Salimas team under new coach Harendra Singh will aim to bury the ghosts of the past and start a new journey with LA 2028 in focus. Salima had captained the Indian team in the European leg of the Pro League earlier this year where it fared poorly....