New Delhi: Eyeing qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Indian men and women’s hockey teams left for the 18th Asian Games with hopes of winning gold medals in both segments.
While the 18-member women’s team will begin their campaign against hosts Indonesia in a Pool B clash, August 19, the men will begin their title defence against Indonesia a day later.
Speaking about improving on their bronze medAsian al at the last Asiad, women’s team captain Rani said, “We are going into the Asian Games after a strong performance in the FIH Women’s World Cup 2018 which has given us a lot of confidence. Though we were disappointed that we did not make the semifinal, winning a gold in the Asian Games will help fade the bitter memories of the World Cup.”
We had won bronze in the last Asian Games. The aim this time is to better the show. We have matured more as a team after the FIH World Cup
Rani
In their Pool B encounters, the eves will also face Korea, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. They will have to finish in the top two to make the semifinals.
Meanwhile the men’s team, grouped with Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong will be aiming for a repeat act to the one they did in 2014 when they beat Pakistan in the final to finish on top of the podium.
“We had good lead-up to the Asian Games with a high intensity training camp in Bangalore. We also did well in the practice matches against Bangladesh, Korea and New Zealand where we wanted to implement certain changes in goal-scoring positions within the striking circle because that was one of the areas we fell behind in the FIH Champions Trophy 2018,” Sreejesh said.
The potential we have in the present team, our target is not just winning the gold medal, but bettering our performances
PR Sreejesh
“We have also worked a lot on our penalty corner conversions, defending and shootouts. Now we just need to execute perfectly in every single match and return home with the gold,” added the mercurial goalie.
Asked who would be India’s toughest opponent this time around, Sreejesh said, “No team can be taken lightly because everyone would be aiming to get direct qualification for Tokyo Olympics. However, I feel that with the potential we have we will be one of the top title-contenders.”
