Indian Women's Team Looks to Home Support for FIH Pro League Matches

Key Takeaways

Indian team aiming to build on their recent success.
Matches scheduled against strong opponents including England, Germany, and Netherlands.
Captain Salima Tete optimistic about team performance.
Head coach Harendra Singh confident in team's preparations.
Local support crucial for the team's success.

Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 (NationPress) Following their impressive victory in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy last November, the Indian women's hockey team is ready to maintain their momentum during the FIH Pro League matches at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from February 15 to 25.

The team will commence their campaign with two encounters against England on February 15 and 16, followed by matches against Spain on February 18 and 19. They will also face formidable rivals such as World No. 4 Germany and World No. 1 Netherlands on February 21, 22, and February 24, 25, respectively.

Under the leadership of Arjuna Awardee Salima Tete and her deputy Navneet Kaur, the squad boasts a mix of seasoned players like Savita, Sushila Chanu, Nikki Pradhan, Vandana Katariya, Udita, Lalremsiami, and Sharmila Devi, along with promising youngsters such as Deepika, Sunelita Toppo, and Jyoti to ensure a well-rounded team.

The Indian players arrive at this tournament following noteworthy performances in the Women’s Hockey India League, building on their historic Women’s ACT victory in Rajgir. Last season, the team had a disappointing outing, finishing eighth with just eight points in 16 matches and scoring only 16 goals throughout the prestigious Pro League. They are determined to deliver a stronger performance this time, supported by their local fans.

As the tournament approaches, captain Salima Tete expressed, "We are eager to compete at Kalinga Stadium again and aim to maximize our points. Facing tough opponents is a challenge, but I believe the girls are prepared to give their all. After a disappointing previous season, I feel we are well-equipped to achieve better results this time around."

Head coach Harendra Singh shared insights on India's preparations ahead of the significant matches, stating, "The girls have dedicated themselves during training camps, and I have faith that our team is capable of matching all our challengers. With the home crowd's support, we need to concentrate on securing as many points as possible in the upcoming matches."