Indian hockey eves braced for World League challenge

The Indian women’s team is geared up for the Hockey World League Semifinals

Drastic improvement in performances of Indian women’s team

There is little doubt that the Indian senior women’s hockey team have been coming up in leaps and bounds in recent months – a far cry from a few years back when they were subjected to heavy defeats by top teams like Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and Germany.

The women’s team dished out a pugnacious performance in the Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand in April, where they gave ample indications that they are ready to take on the world’s best head-on although the tournament statistics would reveal that the team finished seventh among eight teams. The manner in which the 13th ranked Indian eves held world number two Australia and gave higher ranked sides like USA and China a run for their money has injected hopes among hockey fans that women’s hockey is indeed heading in the right direction.

Carry the momentum forward

The Indian women team will look to build on that fine showing in New Zealand when they lock horns with hosts Belgium in their opening game of the second FIH Women’s Hockey World League Semifinals at Brasschaat, Belgium on Saturday. Ranking-wise Belgium is just a notch above India at 13, but the recent encounters would clearly reveal that the Redskirts hold the psychological advantage.

India lost their last two internationals against Belgium quite comprehensively. At the 2014 Champions Challenge I in Glasgow, India had lost to Belgium 2-4 in the 5-8 place classification tie and 0-5 in the league phase. Of course, the Indian eves can draw solace from their 1-1 draw against Belgium in the 2013 Hockey World League Semifinals in Rotterdam.

It has to be said that the national team have shown marked improvement in recent months and the recent encounters will have little bearing on Saturday’s game, where India will have to counter the vociferous home crowd support.

India can test Belgium

The Ritu Rani-led side have an efficient forwardline in Rani Rampal, Vandana Katariya, Poonam Rani, Soundarya Yendala and Anuradha Devi – they have been around for a long time and they have the experience to create turmoil in the Belgium defence.

Skipper Ritu Rani alongside Sushila Chanu and Navjot Kaur will be looking to control the midfield play, while goalkeeper Savita along with the likes of vice-captain Deepika, Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo will be keyed up to blunt the opposition raids.

A win against Belgium will do the Indian eves a world of good since they have to play two tough sides – 4th ranked New Zealand and 2nd ranked Australia – later in the league phase. If India’s performance in the Hawke’s Bay Cup in New Zealand is anything to go by, one can be optimistic about 13th ranked India putting it across 12th ranked Belgium.