K ARUMUGAM
There are only seven players here who have 200 or more caps. It includes five from India. Not only that. Savita’s team is far ahead of others in terms of collective caps too. India has collective caps of 2143, which is not only more than combined tally of six teams, but also head and shoulders above the top contenders China (1538), reigning champions Japan (1008), South Korea (992) and Malaysia still way behind the rest with 847.
Interestingly, Indian super star Vandana Katariya is the most capped player among the ten teams the AHF could rope in for the once-in-a-four-year mela such as this?
Its true India is the most experienced team. Will that be suffice to get the eluding goal since 1986 is the million dollar question?
On the form of it, its certain Savita’s team is in its elements. With Deep Grace Ekka at the back and Neha in the centre, and a couple of new faces upfront together with ever-reliable Vandana Katariya, and Savita under the bar, the team presents a unique chance to count.
And get the gold that will remind us of 1982 Delhi and then book majestically a ticket for Paris.
Indian team on paper might look very formidable in terms of experience, exposure and fitness levels it attained over the time. However, the same positives did not count beyond a point at Jakarata when unheralded Japan came out successfully in the final.
The core difference between Jakarta and now, the good five years, is, who will replace Gurjit Kaur insofar as penalty corner execution is concerned.
There is no established name is available, and it is here Jenneke Schoppmann, the coach, seem to try out Ishika Choudhury besides Deep Grace Ekka.
Absence of Navjot Kaur, another veteran, makes the midfield a bit of bother, and it would seem how the new comers like Vaishnavi would fit in to the big shoes. Its here another veteran in the line up Sushila, the Rio Olympics captain, should lend her experience to consolidate the zone.
With spearhead Vandana in form — when was she not? — there should not be any problem upfront. Yes, it will miss the resoluteness of Rani Rampal, but Navneet Kaur, with her artistic game and brilliant mind, can fill up the vacuum.
India is up against Singapore. It will be run of the mill affair, but will give the team a valuable stadium feel.
The Asian Games will be make or break time for the team. They are top ranked and it will require hell of efforts, precision hockey, and persistence to stand up it.
MOST CAPPED IN HANGZHOU
INDIA: Vandana 290
CHINA: Meiyu Liang 219
SOUTH KOREA: Hyoju An 154
JAPAN: Yuri Nagai 203
MALAYSIA: Julian Din 186
COLLECTIVE CAPS
INDIA: 2143
CHINA: 1538
SOUTH KOREA: 992
JAPAN: 1008
MALAYSIA: 847