The failure to clinch the gold medal on the simply-concluded Asian Games nonetheless recent in its thoughts, the Indian ladies’s hockey group will look to showcase its actual potential in the Asian Champions Trophy when it begins its marketing campaign in opposition to Thailand on Friday.
India misplaced 0-4 to China in the semifinals of the Asian Games in Hangzhou however defeated Japan 2-1 to clinch the bronze medal.
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The bronze medal, nevertheless, was a disappointing outcome for the Indians, who began as favourites and had been eyeing a gold in the Asian Games, which might have given them a direct ticket to subsequent 12 months’s Paris Olympics.
The ACT, nevertheless, will present an ideal platform for the Savita Punia-led facet to avenge their defeat in opposition to reigning Asian Games champions China and silver medallists Korea, in opposition to whom they drew 1-1 in the league phases.
Six groups, together with hosts India, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand will compete in the event. As per the format, all six groups will play one another in the spherical-robin league stage and the highest-4 groups will advance to the semifinals.
India’s chief coach Janneke Schopman has named a tried and examined facet, with the one notable absentee from the Asian Games squad being skilled midfielder Sushila Chanu, who has been rested due to a suspected Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) harm.
Baljeet Kaur has changed Sushila in the squad.
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who too was in the Asian Games squad, has been named as a substitute participant together with Sharmila Devi and can journey with the squad as again-up choice.
Besides Sushila, there have been no surprises as such in the squad named for the ACT to be performed on the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium
right here from October 27 until November 5.
Besides India, defending champions Japan and Asian Games gold medallist China are the opposite favourites in the event.
After Thailand, India will play Malaysia (October 28), China (October 30), Japan (October 31) and Korea (November 2). The semifinals and last are scheduled for November 4 and 5.
The Indians had been close to-excellent on the Asian Games barring one dangerous day in opposition to China in the semifinals and they’d look to erase that reminiscence and make a recent begin in the ACT.
The event may even function a platform for India forward of subsequent 12 months’s Olympic qualifiers to be performed right here.
“In tournaments like these, no team can be taken lightly. We are looking forward to these matches as they will help us test our mettle against some of the most formidable teams in Asia.
“Of course, we want to win every match and perform well here. We are also looking to prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics Qualifiers, which will also be hosted in Ranchi. This tournament serves as a vital preparatory test before the ultimate challenge of securing an Olympic berth,” India captain Savita stated.
India’s chief coach Schopman agreed with Savita.
“Playing these matches ahead of the Olympics Qualifiers is a great opportunity. It allows us to study the other teams and assess how players perform their assigned roles.
“Our recent performances in the Asian Games were promising, and I am excited and eager to see our team in action,” the Dutch stated.
India may even be aiming to safe their second ladies’s Asian Champions Trophy title after seven years.
India had received the title as soon as in 2016 and completed runners-up in the 2013 and 2018 editions, moreover ending third in 2010.
The ladies’s ACT is being hosted in India for the primary time.
Meanwhile in different matches on the opening day, title holders Japan will tackle Malaysia and China will face South Korea.
Watch all of the motion from the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi LIVE on the Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV from October 27, 2023, 4:00 PM IST onward.
(With inputs from Agencies)
