High on confidence after their good start to the tournament, India would look for at least a point to inch towards the semifinals when they take on formidable China in a women’s Asia Cup hockey match here on Tuesday.
A win against the Chinese would ensure India through to Friday’s semifinals.
But even if they lose the Indians will still be in contention for the last four stage. In that case, India will have to beat Malaysia in their last Group A match to qualify as group runnersup.
Judging by the credentials, China are clear favourites at the Queen Sikirt Sports Centre as they had won a silver at the 2009 Olympics, a gold in the 2006 Asian Games and a third rank in the FIH ladder, clear 11 rungs over India.
Indian coach M.K.Kaushik was, however, undeterred by such credentials and is looking for a win, which would be a revenge of their 2-4 loss in the bronze medal play-off in the last edition of the tournament.