'Our Australian tour is crucial for Pro League strategy,' says Salima Tete

Synopsis

The Indian women's hockey team, led by captain Salima Tete, is headed to Perth for a five-match friendly series. Tete emphasizes the importance of this tour in preparing for the upcoming Pro League matches in Europe, highlighting it as an opportunity to refine strategies and enhance team performance.

Key Takeaways

Preparation for Pro League: The tour will help fine-tune strategies.
Competitive Matches: Facing Australia A and the senior team.
Team Cohesion: Building unity and confidence.
Young Talent: Opportunity for emerging players.
Momentum: Continuing from recent Pro League performance.

Bengaluru, April 21 (NationPress) As the Indian women’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday night heading to Perth, Australia for their upcoming five-match friendly series, captain Salima Tete stated that this tour will assist the team in refining their performance in preparation for the Pro League matches in Europe.

The friendly series will kick off with two matches against Australia A on April 26 and 27, followed by three critical matches against the world No. 5 ranked Australian senior team on May 1, 3, and 4—all scheduled to be held at the Perth Hockey Stadium.

Led by the dynamic midfielder Salima, with the experienced forward Navneet Kaur as her deputy, the 26-member squad will utilize this tour as a vital preparation phase ahead of the European segment of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, which commences in June.

Before their departure, Salima expressed, “It’s a proud moment for me to lead the team on this tour. We’ve put in a lot of effort at the national camp in Bengaluru, and everyone is eager to embrace this challenge. Competing against Australia A and the Hockeyroos will allow us to test our strategies and develop as a cohesive unit. This tour will be pivotal in fine-tuning our performance before entering the Pro League in Europe.

Vice-captain Navneet added, “The team feels confident and united. We’ve drawn many positives from our recent performances, particularly how we competed in the Pro League. This tour represents another excellent opportunity to challenge ourselves, enhance critical aspects like finishing and transitions, and continue to build towards our larger objectives this year.”

The Indian team aims to maintain the momentum from their recent FIH Pro League campaign, where they held the world No. 1 Netherlands to a 2-2 draw and gained a shootout bonus point in Bhubaneswar.

With numerous young players receiving their senior team call-up, this tour also serves as a significant stepping stone for the squad’s depth and future.