New Indian Express: Women’s A team set for sojourn down under

By Srinidhi PR

CHENNAI: One can clearly see a pinch of development in Indian women’s hockey of late. The senior team made headlines when they played against Belgium junior men’s team in Netherlands, of which they drew one and won one match during their exposure tour of Europe. On Tuesday, India A women’s hockey team announced the squad for the Australian Hockey League. It is the first instance of the women’s A team featuring in the league. They will be playing four league matches.

Taking part in AHL serves the twin purpose of providing international exposure with long term vision in mind. This sojourn, the think-tank hopes, will have a bearing with world events lined up till the 2020 Olympic Games. Baljeet Saini, coach of India A women’s side, feels this is a great opportunity for the girls who will be pushing for a spot in the senior team.“Next year is going to be important year as we have Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. So the girls have a lot to prove in the league. It will be good experience for me as well. We learn from these tournaments where we are lagging behind, where we need to work and to know if we are in the good direction.”

It will also help some players who have been starved of matches for close to a year. These matches will show whether they can make the step up to the big time. “It was Under-18 Asia Cup in December 2016 when they last competed against international teams. It’s a big task and we need to play more such tournaments, especially when there’s nothing much happening at the junior level. These leagues are needed to provide exposure. Most of the girls have played at least one international tournament at the U-18 level. It’s not that they don’t have any exposure but it’s not sufficient,” says coach.

Baljeet is of the opinion that matches in Australia will witness fast-paced games and girls have to work hard to cope up. “In AHL we are playing against local sides. The match will be very fast because Australians are naturally swift. When they play at that pace, they give opportunity. It’s not like European league, where they don’t give you space. Australians are very good at defense. It’s going to be fast hockey.” With mix of experienced players like Udita and captain Preeti Dubey and young girls who have played fewer matches at junior level, this will be a testing time for bunch of players who are struggling to make it to senior camp.

The India A men’s team led by goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya will also be taking part in the AHL, that starts on September 28. Both men’s and women’s A team left the country on Saturday for Australia.

India A women’s team: Goalkeepers: Divya Thepe, Bichu Devi Kharibam. Defenders: Neelu Dadiya; Ashmita Barla; Priyanka; Suman Devi Thoudam; Salima Tete. Midfielders: Udita (VC); Ishika Choudhary; Mahima Choudhary; Gagandeep Kaur; Nilanjali Rai; Mariana Kujur. Forwards: Preeti Dubey (C); Sangita Kumari; Jyoti; Navpreet Kaur; Mumtaz Khan.