New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) Following the FIH Hockey World Cup draw, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team has been placed in Pool D with England, China, and South Africa. Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne expresses confidence that his squad is aware of the formidable challenges that lie ahead and is prepared to showcase their distinctive style of hockey.

The prestigious tournament is set to occur in August this year, with the draw announced on Tuesday evening.

Among the teams in the group, China holds the top ranking as the World No. 4. England, who faced India in the finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad, Telangana, is currently ranked sixth, while India and South Africa are positioned at ninth and nineteenth, respectively. The varied playing styles within the group promise to create an exciting challenge for the Indian team.

“This pool is highly competitive and well-balanced. Teams like England and China bring different styles and substantial experience, while the South African team can be unpredictable and dangerous on their best days,” Marijne noted.

“However, our focus is not just on the draw; it’s about how we perform. In a World Cup, every match requires our utmost effort. We respect our opponents, but we aim to play our own brand of hockey with consistency and bravery,” he added.

India recently secured second place in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers held in Hyderabad, Telangana, after losing to England in the final match. Despite this setback, the tournament had its positives, as India emerged as the second-highest goal scorers with 11 goals, six of which were from penalty corners.

Marijne reflected on the tournament, urging the team to continually seek improvement and consistency, particularly in converting opportunities into goals. “We have progressed offensively, but it is crucial for us to focus on turning our chances into goals—whether from field play or penalty corners. Additionally, we need to enhance our defensive structures,” he stated.

Having previously led the team to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Marijne returned to coach the squad in January. He elaborated on his long-term vision, saying, “We are building for the future. Our goal is to create a resilient, adaptable, and fearless team. While qualifying was a significant step, we aspire to achieve much more. We have made initial progress, but there is still a long way to go to ensure our success.”

Looking ahead to the tournament and emphasizing the team’s preparation, Marijne concluded, “We have scheduled tours to the USA and Argentina, the Nations Cup in New Zealand, and practice matches in Germany, along with additional games in the Netherlands. These upcoming matches, combined with our training camps, will provide an excellent mix of preparation for the World Cup and the Asian Games.”