With their formidable reputation secured by a commendable fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women's hockey team gears up for the Women's FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers tournament, aiming for a third consecutive Olympic appearance.
The Indian squad's journey in women's Olympic hockey began in 1980 when they claimed the fourth spot in Moscow. After a hiatus spanning three decades, they marked their return in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro edition. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games saw them further solidify their standing, reaching the quarterfinals by defeating Australia but ultimately settling for fourth place after a loss to Argentina in the semis.
Despite an impressive third-place finish in the FIH Pro League 2021-22, challenges arose with underwhelming performances in the 2022 World Cup and the 2022 Asian Games, where they secured a bronze medal. As the Savita Punia-led team takes the field at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, the pressure is on to prove that their success in Tokyo was a breakthrough, not a fleeting moment.
Despite recent victories, including bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, gold at the FIH Nations Cup, and the Asian Champions Trophy, the Olympics remains the ultimate proving ground. The team, guided by goalkeeper Savita and coached by Jenneke Schopman from the Netherlands, faces a challenging task in Ranchi, placed in a tough Group B alongside New Zealand, the United States, and Italy.
With only three spots available for the Paris Olympic Games later in the year, Germany is expected to secure one, leaving India, New Zealand, the USA, and Japan to compete for the remaining two. The Indian team faces formidable opponents, considering New Zealand and the USA had higher rankings not long ago.
While India has historically struggled against New Zealand, having only secured a win in the bronze medal match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the USA poses a tough challenge with a head-to-head record of four wins, nine losses, and two draws in Olympic qualifiers for Tokyo 2020.
The absence of experienced forward Vandana Katariya adds complexity to the task, placing reliance on the seasoned midfield, featuring players like Navneet Kaur, Neha, and Salima Tete. The defense, while settled with Monika, Nikki Pradhan, and Udita, will feel the void left by Deep Grace Ekka, impacting penalty corner conversions.
Coach Schopman's decision to exclude Gurjit Kaur, a seasoned drag-flicker, further intensifies the challenge. The team's fortunes will depend on the performance of the 20-year-old Deepika, who has limited international exposure.
As the Indian squad, led by Savita, aspires for a spot in the third successive Olympics, the journey is fraught with challenges. The opening clashes against the United States and arch-rivals New Zealand on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, will play a crucial role in determining India's fate in the Paris Olympics qualification quest.
(With Agency Inputs)
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