Digital Desk, Bhubaneswar. The Indian women’s hockey team has been placed in Pool B along with England, New Zealand and China for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2022 in Spain and Netherlands, starting July 1.
The Indian women’s team recently qualified for the World Cup after finishing third in the Asia Cup in Muscat.
It is a tough pool with England (world No. 3) and New Zealand (world No. 8) above us and China always being the surprise team,” said Indian women’s goalkeeper Savita. As a team, we have always believed that we need to focus on ourselves and not what the opponent can do. But now that we know who we will be playing in the pool stage, we can plan our preparation accordingly and we are ready for the challenge.
The Indian women’s team made it to the top eight for the first time in the World Cup last season when they drew 1–1 with England, lost 0–1 to Ireland, who went on to play the final against world champions the Netherlands and drew 1–1 against USA in the group stage.
“It was a very good tournament for us and it instilled a great sense of confidence. The draw against England at their home ground was crucial for us in 2018 and we came very close to beating Ireland in the quarter-finals but lost.
He further said, after playing in big events like the Olympic Games in the last three-four years, especially in Tokyo, I think we are mentally prepared to do well in the World Cup this time.
India have been clubbed with England, New Zealand and China in Pool B, while world champions the Netherlands have been clubbed with Germany, Ireland and Chile in Pool A. Hosts Spain will face Argentina, Korea and Canada in Pool C and Australia, Belgium, Japan and South Africa in Pool D.
(IANS)
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