The Indian women’s hockey team finds itself in a situation reminiscent of the men’s team, facing a crucial match that can either revive or dash their hopes of qualifying for the Olympics.
After a disheartening opening-day loss to the US, the hocky team made an extraordinary comeback with a victory against New Zealand, bringing a rollercoaster of emotions and uncertainties.
As the Savita Punia-led hocky team gears up for their next match in the Olympic qualifying tournament on Tuesday, they are aiming for a smoother and less dramatic encounter, hoping for a straightforward path without further uncertainties.
Ahead of their 7:30 pm local time Hockey match in Ranchi, India will closely monitor the results of the preceding match between the USA and New Zealand. The outcome of that game will determine the target India needs to set against Italy, a team known for its potential to pose challenges.
India’s situation is straightforward in Hockey: if New Zealand (3 points, goal difference 1) doesn’t win against the USA (6 points, goal difference 3), then India (3 points, goal difference 1) only needs to secure a victory against Italy (0 points, goal difference -5).
In the scenario where New Zealand defeats the USA, India will not only need to secure a victory against Italy but may also need to do so with a significant margin. This is because goal difference will become a deciding factor, with three teams – New Zealand, the USA, and India – all potentially finishing level on six points.
India’s ability to score against lower-ranked teams has been evident in recent matches, including the encounter against New Zealand on Sunday and the Asian Champions Trophy a few months ago. However, their true test will come in a do-or-die situation where careers may be at stake, particularly against a challenging Italy side known for its physicality and robust defensive structure.
India’s coach Janneke Schopman anticipates a challenging encounter against Italy, describing them as “feisty” and possessing an “Argentinian-spirited,” Mediterranean-style of play. Despite the toughness of the match, Schopman believes that India can shine by showcasing patience, moving the ball effectively, and relying on their skills. She emphasized the critical role of penalty corner conversion and the strategic positioning of attackers inside the ‘D’ as decisive factors in determining the outcome of the match.
India’s penalty corner conversion rate has been disappointing, managing to convert only 1 out of the 12 earned in the two matches. Udita Duhan, who celebrated her 26th birthday on Sunday, scored the sole penalty corner with a superb slap-shot. However, the designated drag-flicker, Deepika, has struggled to find her range in the tournament so far.
Creating field goal opportunities has been a new challenge for India in the tournament, and it was largely due to the efforts of Salima Tete that the team managed to create scoring opportunities against New Zealand. The local Jharkhand girl played a pivotal role, staying on the field for most of the match, displaying tireless running, and showcasing an ability to make passes that stood out among her teammates.
Salima Tete played a crucial role in creating the first goal within the opening minute of the match against New Zealand, setting the tone for the entire game. Her exceptional speed ignited the wings, and India will be banking on other attackers such as Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, and Neha Goyal—players with the ability to trouble defenses with their speed—to step up in case the Italians attempt to mark Tete out of the game.
