Having struggled to win matches the entire year, the Indian women's hockey team will look to start afresh in a new Olympic cycle by defending its Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) title at home, beginning with a clash against lower-ranked Malaysia on Monday. (More Hockey News)
India have won the title twice in 2016 (Singapore) and 2023 (Ranchi) in the seven editions of theꦛ tꦚournament so far.
After failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics, the Indian team lost 13 matches and won just two (with one draw) out of 16 in the women's FIH Pro League this year, but wil𓃲l hope to make a turnaround in their fortune with a strong performance in the ACT.
India 💫have fielded a mixed team, consisting of youth and ex🌸perienced players for the tournament under the leadership of Salima Tete.
Striker Navneet Kaur will serve as Salima's deputy ꦗas India enterꦫ the competition with high expectations.
The teamཧ will face stiff competition from five other nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailandܫ, in the battle for continental supremacy
The Indian defence will be anchored by a solid line-up, featuring Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chan⭕u Pukhrambam and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.
In th♌e mid-field, captain Tete will be supported by Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami, all known for their dynamic play.
The forward line-up has the likes of Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Preeti Dubey and Be♚aut🉐y Dungdung leading the charge.
The🍸 goalkeeping duties will be shared between꧋ the experienced Savita -- also former captain -- and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam.
Sushila and Beauty Dungdung will be making a return to the team after successfully completiౠng their rehabilitation.
The Indians will de𝓰finitely start as one of the favourites in the tournament, along with reigning Olympic silver medallist China, who are ranked sixth in the world.
South Korea are the most successful team in the tournament having won it thrice, wh𝕴ile Japan had won it♛ twice.
It's the start of a new journey for the Indian women's hockey team after having missed out🅺 on qualification for the Paris Olympܫics.
Salima's team, under ne🍌w coach Harendra Singh, will aim to bury t𝄹he ghosts of the past and start a new journey with LA 2028 in focus.
Salima had captained the Indian team in the European leg of the Pro League earlier this year, where it fared poorly𝓡.
Salima൲ attributed the team's downward spiral to the lack of fitness ꦫand mental toughness.
After creating history in Tokyo in 2021, the team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year and also performed poorly in the♏ l🅷ast FIH Pro League.
"Yes, of course we were disappointed but we can't think about the past and need to move forward. We should move on becau🃏se if we don't move on, we can never win a match," Salima had told PTI.
"We had to start from the beginning. We had to start from the scratch. And fitness was an area that Harendra sir (coach Herendr𝄹a Sღingh) had pointed out and which needs a lot of work," she said.
"It was our mistake that we didn't work 𝄹on fitness. But since sir came, we have worked a lot on our fitness. In today's level, if you don't have fitness, you can't play hockey because it is a fast sport and you need fitness."
In today's leve♍l, if you don't🙈 have fitness, you can't play hockey because it is a fast sport and you need fitness."
Salima said 💎the entire sq♏uad now realises the importance of fitness.
In Monday's other♓ matches, Japan will play South Korea in the tournament opener, followed by the game between China and Thailand.
The timings of the matches have been rescheduled in view of potential havoc d💮ue to a large insect infestation under floodlights.
As per the revised schedule, the first ma🧜tch of the day wilꦗl start at 12.15pm, followed by the second at 2.30pm, and the last at 4.45pm.
Previously, the matches🌞 were slated for evening slots at 3p𒀰m, 5.15pm and 7.30pm.
