Adelaide. The Indian women’s hockey team will be looking to give their best as they kick off their preparations for the Asian Games against world number three Australia on a five-match tour starting here on Thursday. Will play on 18, 20 and 21 May. The team will then face Australia ‘A’ on May 25 and 27.
The eighth-ranked team, led by experienced goalkeeper Savita, will try to judge themselves in this round. The team will know from this tour which areas need to be improved for the Hangzhou Asian Games to be held from September 23 to October 8 this year. From the Asian Games, the team will have a chance to qualify directly for the Paris Olympics. The Indian team had reached Adelaide four days earlier to acclimatize to the local conditions.
Savita said, “We are also practicing daily in evening light so that the team can familiarize themselves with the ground and conditions in Adelaide as our matches are scheduled to be played in the evening.” The three-time gold medalists were defeated 1-0. The two teams then faced each other in the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The match at the Birmingham Games went to a penalty shootout, which Australia won.
“The players are excited and ready to face Australia,” said Indian team captain Yanek Schoppmann. The weather here is quite good. We are feeling good. It’s ready to take stock of the hard work we’ve put in over the last few weeks.”
Schedule (India Time)
May 18: India vs Australia, 14:15 hrs
May 20: India vs Australia, 14:15 hrs
May 21: India vs Australia, 1:55 PM onwards
May 25: India vs Australia A, 14:15 hrs
May 27: India vs Australia A, 14:15 hrs
Pc:Amarujala