Deepika targets better show
Midfielder Deepika completed her 200th international match in India’s 3-1 win over Chile in the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 final in West Vancouver on Sunday.
The 30-year-old from Haryana made her international debut in 2003 and since has been a regular member of the senior women’s squad.
“We just celebrated the victory and my 200th international cap by going out for dinner here. I could not have asked for a better way to celebrate my 200th match. This was a very important win for us as this will help us build our confidence going into the World League Semi-final,” said Deepika.
At last year’s Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia, where India won their maiden title, Deepika played a vital role and was also awarded the ‘highest scorer of the tournament’ for her effort. She had scored in the dying minutes of the final match against China to win by a narrow margin of 2-1.
“The team has been together for a while now so we know each one’s plus and minus. We have grown as a strong unit and we are determined for better results especially after the Rio Olympics which I personally feel we could have played better,” she added.
Deepika has been a key member of the team not just in terms of her experience on the pitch but as an inspiration to younger members of the squad. “I think we have a great mix of players. I would like to thank my team mates as I carry several good memories in my career so far and I couldn’t have come this far without their support,” she said.
Asked about her personal goals, moving forward in her career, Deepika said, “Our immediate goal would be to perform well at the World League Semi-final and also win the Asia Cup this year.”