Women’s hockey team targets gold

GOLDCOAST: The Indian women’s hockey team has reached Gold Coast with hopes of repeating their feat of Manchester Games 2002. Apart from Australia, India are the only country to win a gold medal in hockey – bagged by the women’s team in Manchester. Australia have dominated both the women’s and men’s sections by winning nine out of 10 gold.

Coach Harendra Singh’s band of sprightly girls will embark on Thursday on a tough journey which, they hope, will culminate atop the podium with gold medals around their necks. Their first test in pursuit of gold will be against Wales, who are likely to provide an easier examination of skills and nerves than England, South Africa and Malaysia. India are in a tough group and will have to get the better of both Malaysia and South Africa after defeating Wales in the opener.

England are the top-ranked team with New Zealand second. Defending champions Australia slipped to fifth but would be tough customers on home soil. “We have prepared very well. We had a good tour of South Korea where we won three of the five matches and that gives us confidence. Our aim is to recapture the gold we won in 2002,” said Harendra.

“Though Wales are ranked lower, we will be very cautious. We want to get off to a good start,” said the coach. India are the reigning Asian champions and have a good mixture of experienced and young players .