Hero Hockey World League Round 2: Indian hockey eves have a lot to prove

Indian women’s hockey team would look to resurrect themselves when they launch their campaign in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 tournament against Kazakhstan at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Monday. The Poonam Rani-led side is expected to give a good account of themselves against the 30^th ranked Kazakhstan in their opening match.

The Indian hockey eves haven’t really hit the right notes ever since Australian coach Neil Hawgood took charge of the side last year. They started the 2012 Champions Challenge tournament in Dublin, Ireland on a promising note but inconsistency undid all their good work as they went on to finish seventh among eight teams in the fray. India fought hard to reach the quarterfinals but they lost 1-3 to Scotland in penalty shootout.

Hawgood’s second assignment was a six-match Test series tour of New Zealand last December. The Indian women struggled to acclimatize to the New Zealand conditions and paid a hefty price as it was handed a 2-7 walloping in the first Test.

The team’s morale took a big beating and they struggled to remain competitive against the Black Sticks women. Save for a 2-2 draw, the Indian hockey eves lost all the five other Test matches to allow New Zealand women to win the six-match series 5-0. The sixth and final Test was a real cracker of a match, where India led New Zealand 3-2 at half-time before going on to lose narrowly 5-6.

Clearly, Hawgood would want his girls to put up an improved showing. The induction of Michael Nobbs has resurrected the fortunes of the Indian men’s hockey team and one hopes Hawgood would be able to do the same with the girls team.

Captain Rani would have to shoulder a lot more responsibility in the midfield through out the tournament and she would be anticipating the same from vice-captain Chanchan Devi. Namita Toppo, Vandana Katariya, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Lily Chanu Mayengbam would look to complement their captain and vice-captain in the centre of the pitch.

The three Kaurs – Jaspreet, Joydeep and Kirandeep – would man the defence alongside Deep Grace Ekka. The team would have high expectations from Jaspreet Kaur to score goals from her drag-flicks.

The Indian forwardline would be a tad depleted with the toe injury to seasoned striker Poonam Rani. Talented youngster Rani Rampaul also injured her knee during the Indian hockey eves’ practice game against Russia, which the hosts won 3-0.

Although Rani is expected to be available for the opening match, coach Hawgood would want his other forwards – Soundarya Yendala, Anupa Barla, Navjot Kaur and Lilima Minz to step up to the plate.

On paper, the Indian hockey eves should have it easy against the likes of Russia, Kazakhstan and Fiji, but they are likely to face strong resistance from ninth ranked Japan and 22^nd ranked Malaysia.

Hopefully, the Indian hockey eves would give us enough reasons to believe that they are indeed progressing under coach Hawgood.