After Rio slump, new hope in women’s team

After bagging their maiden gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the Indian women’s hockey team went on to be crowned champions at the AfroAsian Games in 2003 and the Asia Cup in 2004. The successes put the Suraj Lata Devi-led team on the world map. After 14 years, a new-look India side, led by Rani Rampal, is out to bring back the golden days. Their first stop is the Commonwealth Games. Other important tournaments are the Asian Games in Jakarta and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. “We would like to begin with gold in Gold Coast. We have done our homework well and nothing less than a gold will satisfy us,” said Rani. The women’s team won gold in 2002 Manchester, defeating the hosts 3-2 in extra-time. They won silver in 2006 Melbourne, losing to the hosts. However, the team could manage only a fifth place in the 2010 and 2014 editions. The slump continued and the team finished 12th at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, prompting Hockey India to make some drastic changes to the coaching staff. They roped in junior men’s World Cup-winning team coach Harendra Singh and the fortunes changed. The team won the Asia Cup last year, thus qualifying for this year’s World Cup.

“There is a change in the players’ mindset. They are more focused and are playing attacking hockey,” said Harendra. “The team has the capability to beat any side in the world now. Ranking makes no difference if you are playing well. We will focus on our game (in Gold Coast), rather than look at the strengths and weaknesses of the rivals.”

In the 44-year-old history of Indian women’s hockey, the team has won six gold, including two at the Asia Cup, five silver and seven bronze at international events. The Commonwealth Games will be their last major event before the women’s hockey World Cup in London from July 21 to August 5.

“We aren’t thinking about what happened at the last Commonwealth Games. We are a balanced side. The biggest change is in the attitude of the players, who are eager for success,” said Rani. Ranked 10th in the world, India are clubbed with world No 2 England, South Africa (ranked 14th), Malaysia — whom they beat in the Asia Cup — and Wales in Pool A.

“We need to play aggressive hockey against all teams in the pool before opting for fresh strategies for knockout,” said Harendra, adding the team’s success on the recent tour of South Africa was a morale booster.

India are confident of making it to the knockout, and once there, the pressure will be from higher-ranked teams like Australia,

England and NZ.