Rink hockey star Suraj returns to India fold with Asian Hockey 5s Qualifier

Mumbaibased hockey goalkeeper Suraj Karkera has returned to the India fold with a callup for the Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier to be held in Oman from August 29 to September 2Karkera 27 last played for the country at the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta where India finished third He has been in and out of the national camp since with goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak manning the postInterestingly Malad resident Karkera used his time away from the national setup to play rink hockey which is highly popular in the city and excelled in it He now believes his top form there will keep him in good stead for the international tournament ldquoLast year I played for two teams in two different rink hockey tournaments in MumbaimdashBombay Republicans and Unclersquos Kitchen United With Republicans we finished runnersup at the Savio 5s in Andheri while with UK United we won the Mount Carmelrsquos rink hockey tournament Both were very competitive tournamentsrdquo Karkera tells midday over the phone from the national camp in BangaloreMandeep Mor to leadThe Indian team will be led by Mandeep Mor while Mohammed Raheel Moudeen will be vicecaptainAlso Read Former federation secretary Jothikumaran planning return to hockey in lsquoelitersquo fashionUnlike field hockey where a goalkeeper can afford to relax a bit when the ball is in the opposition half in rink hockey there is no time or space to relax Karkera enjoys this speed aspect of the shorter version of the game ldquoThere are a lot of similarities between rink hockey and the Asian Hockey 5s Rink hockey is a fiveaside format as is the Asian Hockey 5s Also just like rink hockey there will be boards on all sides at the Asian Hockey 5s Itrsquoll be fast as the ball will not go out just like rink hockey You have to be on your toes throughout I enjoy the speed factor and can be up on my feet quickly Also diving comes naturally to merdquo he adds Can score from anywhereThere is one major difference between the two formats though ldquoIn rink hockey only pushes are allowed no taps or hits and you can only score a goal from inside the striking circle In Asian Hockey 5s you can score from anywhere and anyhow so I have to look out for those big hits or drag flicks at all times Thatrsquos something Irsquove been practising hard forrdquo he signs offIndia team for Asian Hockey 5sMandeep Mor captain Mohammed Raheel Moudeen vicecaptain Suraj Karkera goalkeeper Jugraj Singh Dipsan Tirkey Manjeet Maninder Singh Pawan Rajbhar Gurjot Singh Coach CB Janardhan