The Indian women's hockey team seems eager to settle scores with a team that smashed their bronze medal hopes at last year's Olympics in Tokyo.
Digital Desk: It's now the payback time, as India is all set to seek revenge against England, with the two teams kicking off their Pool B campaign in the Women's Hockey World Cup here on Sunday.
The Indian women's hockey team would be eager to settle scores with the rival team that shattered their bronze medal hopes at last year's Olympics in Tokyo.
Getting so close to win their first Olympic medal in Tokyo, England defeated India with a goal score of 3-4 in that match.
However, the Indians would be confident going into the tournament, especially after finishing third in their first (International Hockey Federation) FIH Pro League outing.
India's best World Cup performance was a fourth-place finish in the inaugural edition in 1974, and the team has been on a meteoric rise since achieving a historic fourth place in the Tokyo Games.
The Indian women's team earned its highest-ever world ranking in May, taking sixth place, and then competed fiercely in the FIH Pro League against some of the greatest teams in the world.
As a result, the Indian squad came first, beating out powerhouses like Belgium, Australia, and England. Since taking over as captain from the legendary Rani Rampal, who has been absent since the Tokyo Games owing to a hamstring injury, seasoned goalie Savita Punia has done an excellent job.
Savita has been in ideal shape and will be supported by the young and vibrant Bichu Devi Kharibam.
Vice-captain Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, and Nikki Pradhan will be responsible for keeping an eye on the backline, while Sushila Chanu, Neha Goyal, Navjot Kaur, Sonika, Jyoti, Nisha, and Monika will be in charge of developing the assaults.
Salima Tete, who has been in excellent form and is renowned for his explosive runs down the flanks, will need to fill the linking role. Experienced players Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, and Sharmila Devi, will be in charge of scoring goals.
India will undoubtedly miss former team Captain Rani's expertise and guidance even if the team is well-trained.
India competed in the tournament's previous edition in 2018, finishing eighth. This time, they are looking to place higher and given their current form and performance, it is certainly not out of the question. Additionally, India's head coach Janekke Schopman knows her players' potential.
"Anything is possible if we play to our ability and continuously play how we know we can. Right now in women's hockey, anyone can defeat anyone," according to Schopman.
Consistency, though, deserves a lot of consideration. If we play unfailingly, the World Cup podium and the top four are possibilities. The 45-year-old stated, "I think we have great potential, and if we play to our potential, we are a tough team to beat.
England's best World Cup result is a bronze medal in the 2010 edition in Rosario, Argentina. They also finished fourth in Sydney in 1990. There isn't much to distinguish between the two sides.
England is ranked fourth in the world, while India is ranked sixth. Following their match against England, India will face China on June 5, heeded by their final pool match against New Zealand on July 7.
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