Return of Soundarya and Joydeep Kaur augur well for our Asia cup campaign
Indian women hockey, for long condemned – reasonably so — as under performers, have all of a sudden shed the image and came out triumphant at the recent Junior World Cup at Monchengladbach.
The enthusiasm that the Bronze created on pan India level is quite unexpected though fully deserved.
Being into the limelight is one thing and able to sustain it is quite another, the latter often proved to be more arduous and difficult task than getting on to the limelight zone.
Indian women hockey, that aspires to make a mark in the forthcoming Asia Cup, is exactly in the pass.
Indian women, being regular in the last two world cups, would like to continue the tradition, but the task is formidable.
With China, Korea and Japan, all equal teams, are also in the same predicament.
Only a ticket available at Kuala Lumpur Asia Cup, only the winner getting it.
Against the backdrop and the near incredible history of our women in this genre of competition, one can be optimistic.
There were two slot up for grab for the World Cup in the last two Asia Cup, held respectively in Bangkok and Hong Kong. India was the finalist on both occasion.
So creditable was it show at Bangkok where it defeated Korea in the semis to ensure its World Cup passage. Those three penalty corners that came in the Korea’s way in the semis, and the way the Asuantas and Subhadras combined to catapult India from the onslaught are still fresh in the memory.
Asunta, despite doubtful fitness is lurking around the national team, having been kept in the standbye list. Subhadra has long been forgotten.
Joydeep Kaur, who comes back to Indian side after a good gap, shoulders the defence in the foothold of Subhadra.
While her return reinforces the defence, which is always brittle, equally good turn around is Saundarya Yadala’s.
A fit Soundarya on her day is Jothi Sunita Kullu, a poetry in motion, pleasing stride, rhythmic sway and all that.
Soundarya came into the team with big hope, and was often touted as under-study of purposeful and thrustful cog in the wheel, Jasjeet Kaur.
Even as Jasjeet’s career, long but unceremonious, came to an end Soundarya slugged with frequent injuries. He out of form must count among others a serious factor that India could not produce any result of worth, regional and global levels, in the interregnum last and present Asia Cups, a Great Depression in Women’s hockey annals.
Now that Soundarya returns with Joydeep Kaur thing look bright for self-motivated India which has come out of its own after self-inflicted hara-kiri of accusing coaches of everything!
One aspect that would concern is absence of lanky Jaspreet Singh, who double up as sharp shooter in penalty corner drills and also a proven asset at the rear.
Therefore, it is left to the experienced lot of the team, the likes of Rani and Rani, Chanchans and others to knit the team to crack the final.
Thankfully for India, neither Korea nor China are what they are believed to be till recently; they are on downslide, without proper replenishment of resources.
It is where the euphoria created by the Junior team’s success at Monchengladbach, and its youthful content, give us a ray of hope.
The KL Asia Cup is essentially extension of the same bronze team, and with the return of time tested Joydeep and Soundarya, the beads of optimism sounds pleasant.
India is placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong China on 21 September followed by China on 22 September and hosts Malaysia on 24 September.
The 8th Women’s Asia Cup is the continental qualification tournament for the FIH Women’s World Cup 2014 to be played in The Hague, The Netherlands from 31 May-14 June 2014.
THE TEAM: Goalkeepers: Rajani Etimarpu, Savita Punia, Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Joydeep Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Sunita Lakra, Deepika, Namita Toppo, P Sushila Chanu, M N Ponnamma, Midfielders: Ritu Rani (Captain), Chanchan Devi Thokchom (Vice-Captain), Soundarya Yendala, Lily Chanu, Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thokchom. Standbys: Sanarik Chanu, Asunta Lakra, Monika Malik, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz, Anupa Barla