After two matches against the Australia A side, the Indian women’s hockey team is set to face the senior team in its next three friendlies at the Perth Hockey Stadium, starting from May 1.
India will be looking to improve its performance after suffering two defeats in its first two games against Australia A. In the first match, India fought valiantly but fell short 3-5. In the second match, India suffered an narrow defeat (2-3).
India’s 26-member squad, led by captain Salima Tete, will now face a bigger challenge facing the senior team of Australia over the next three matches. The last time both sides met, India secured a 1-0 victory in a FIH Hockey Pro League 2023–24 game and will look to obtain a similar result.
Reflecting on India’s performance in the tour so far, Chief Coach Harendra Singh stated, “In both the matches, we have conceded some soft goals which were disheartening, but apart from that, we have been very competitive. This is a test series so it is not about winning or losing, it is about the experience.”
“There are some players who have come out of the country to play for the very first time. I am giving the youngsters a chance to play so they are prepared to be the next generation,” he added.
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The Indian coach also touched upon the team’s strategy for the upcoming matches. “In the first two games, most of the players have had a chance to play and now we will try out the best combinations among players. I am looking forward to this because this is how we identify the players who can compete in the forthcoming Pro League matches in Europe. Before going to the World Cup next year, the new girls should play a minimum of 35 matches. That is the goal we keep in mind while preparing for such tournaments.”
Talking about his assessment of the young players in the team, the coach said, “Everyone is giving their heart and there is healthy competition within the team. The one girl who has caught my eye is Mahima Tete. She’s mobile, quick and has great potential.”
“Same for Pooja, Sujata, Ajmina and all the other young players. Everyone is working hard and trying to learn. The key is to play simple hockey and gain experience against tough opponents like Australia,” he concluded.
