Lily Chanu all set for winning start in junior women's Asia Cup hockey
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 04 2015 : Manipuri talented player Mayengbam Lily Chanu is all set to make a confident start when India's junior women's hockey team takes on South Korea in its opening pool match of the 7th Asia Cup in Changzhou, China on Saturday.

It may be mentioned that Mayengbam Lily Chanu d/o M Naba of Singjamei Mayengbam Wangma Kshetri Leikai is one of the finest players in the India team.

Lily Chanu is the lone Manipuri hockey player in the Indian team for the Junior Asia Cup which will be held from September 5-13 where nine different countries from Asia will be competing for the Cup.

Presently serving in Western Railway, Lily Chanu is an experienced international player who has played in more than 45 international matches.

She had started playing at the Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur (PHAM) and at last emerged as the key player of Indian team.

Lily Chanu all set for winning start in junior women's Asia Cup hockey

All fired up after a month-long preparatory camp, the young Indian eves will face China, Malaysia, Singapore and DPR Korea in the pool phase of the tournament, which is a qualifier for next year's FIH Junior World Cup.

Captained by star player Rani, the team consists of several experienced players who even represent the senior team.

Rani will lead the forward line along with Anupa Barla, Punam Barla, Navneet Kaur and Sonika.

Rani had played a very important role to steer the team in the recently-concluded Volvo Invitational U-21 Tournament, where the side finished third.

Vice-Captain Navjot Kaur and the talented Lily Chanu will mobilise the midfield area to provide maximum support to the defence-line as well as create opportunities for the forward players.

Navjot, Chanu, Lilima Minz and Renuka Yadav represent the senior team as well.

The defence boasts of hugely experienced Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo and penalty corner specialist Jaspreet Kaur.

Led by goalkeeper Inderpreet Kaur, the back-line is quite capable to blunt attacks from DPR Korea as well as other teams in the tournament.

Both India and Korea will clash against each other for the first time on the opening match and it will be a challenge for them to decode each others' game.