CWG: Indian women hockey team ready for challenge

Glasgow: Scotland: Thursday will be a big day for both the Indian as well as the Canadian Women’s Hockey Teams as it will mark the first clash between the two during their outing of Commonwealth Games this year. While in their last clash in 2012, it was India who dominated the match and beat Canada 4-0. Both the teams have faced each other twice in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2010 where India had won both the matches.

Going by the world ranking, while India is placed at the 13th position and Canada on the 22nd, nothing can be taken for granted as both teams are hungry to win and prove themselves.

With just 15 caps Ritusha since her debut on the international platform, Ritusha has proved to be an important member in the forward line-up and has complemented both Rani and Poonam Rani. The Canadian captain – Kate Gillis will be playing her second consecutive Commonwealth Games and being the senior member in the team her responsibility increases keeping in mind that her team is relatively young.

Speaking on Ritusha Arya a few days back, Rani had said, “Ritusha Arya with her 15 caps has proved to be a big threat to the defence of the opponent during our tour to Malaysia as well as the recent international matches that we have played. During our preparations here, she looks in form and will soon be seen in action again. Poonam Rani and I are happy with her in the team as she has complemented our play on the field since the day she has made her debut on the international arena.”

India will also be looking at their goalkeeper Savita to continue her good form of Malaysia Tour and make it difficult for the opponents to go past her. Also, understanding the importance of being mentally and psychologically strong the team is not allowing any kind of pressure to seep in and are just looking at their past performance and taking that as a motivation to go for the kill tomorrow.

Speaking on their match tomorrow, goalkeeper, Savita said, “The team is confident of a winning start tomorrow. We have to be mentally strong and not allow pressure to take the better of us and which will help us to beat our opponents. Conceding goals will pressurize the team mentally and from my end I will ensure not to allow them to score”.


With the team all set for the challenge tomorrow it will be the Chief Coach who will have to ensure that the team doesn’t lose focus on the field and deliver as per plans. Neil Hawgood will be looking at a clean sweep yet again and see his wards repeat their Malaysia Tour performance during the Commonwealth Games. With a mix of both experienced as well as young players, Neil has worked towards creating a team combination which will ensure a podium finish.


Speaking on the opening game, chief coach Neil Hawgood said “while I am confident of the girls to give a tough time to Canada tomorrow, I am still keeping my fingers crossed. Though India has been in the best of forms in the recent past, we cannot forget that Canada with its young team is hungry to prove a point too. It will be their captain and forward Kate Gillis who we consider will be their key towards a good performance tomorrow and we are ready with our strategy on her. Our aim will be to have winning start in the event and then maintain that momentum further.”

While Canada will take the field tomorrow with their four senior players representing their country again in this year’s Games, it will be 5 players from India who have the privilege to represent their country again in this season. While from India it will be Ritu Rani, Rani, Poonam Rani, Kirandeep Kaur and Deepika, from Canada it will be Thea Culley, Kate Gillis, Abigail Raye and Kristine Wishart who the coaches of the teams will be looking at, to lead and guide the young team for a win.


Speaking on the all important opening tomorrow, vice-captain Deepika said, “Apart from the five of us who already had the opportunity to play in the Commonwealth Games in 2010, it’s now our responsibility to motivate our young teammates to give better results. During our last training session here we are continuously guiding the young players like Ritusha, Lilima, Navjot, Anupa, Namita and explaining them that they have to be mentally strong and need to focus on the game only.”

India will take on Canada in their opening game on 24th July 2014 at 2030 hrs IST and it will be telecasted on Ten Sports.