India Look To Defend Title On Home Soil In Women's Act Hockey

Having struggled to win matches entire year, Indian women's hockey team will look to start afresh in a new Olympic cycle by defending its Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) title at home, beginning with a clash against lower-ranked Malaysia here on Monday.

India have won title twice in 2016 (Singapore) and 2023 (Ranchi) in seven editions of tournament so far.

After failing to qualify for Paris Olympics , Indian team lost 13 matches and won just two (with one draw) out of 16 in women's FIH Pro League this year, but will hope to make a turnaround in ir fortune with a strong performance in ACT. India have fielded a mixed team, consisting of youth and experienced players for tournament under leership of Salima Tete. Striker Navneet Kaur will serve as Salima's deputy as India enter competition with high expectations.

team will face stiff competition from five or nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, in battle for continental supremacy.

Indian defence will be anchored by a solid line-up, featuring Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.

In mid-field, captain Tete will be supported by Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami, all kwn for ir dynamic play.

forward line-up has likes of Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Preeti Dubey and Beauty Dungdung leing charge.

goalkeeping duties will be shared between experienced Savita -- also former captain -- and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam.

Sushila and Beauty Dungdung will be making a return to team after successfully completing ir rehabilitation.

Indians will definitely start as one of favourites in tournament, along with reigning Olympic silver medallist China, who are ranked sixth in world.

South Korea are most successful team in tournament having won it thrice, while Japan h won it twice.

It's start of a new journey for Indian women's hockey team after having missed out on qualification for Paris Olympics.

Salima's team, under new coach Harendra Singh, will aim to bury ghosts of past and start a new journey with LA 2028 in focus.

Salima h captained Indian team in European leg of Pro League earlier this year, where it fared poorly.

Salima attributed team's downward spiral to lack of fitness and mental toughness.

After creating history in Tokyo in 2021, team failed to qualify for Paris Olympics this year and also performed poorly in last FIH Pro League. "Yes, of course we were disappointed but we can't think about past and need to move forward. We should move on because if we don't move on, we can never win a match," Salima h told PTI.

"We h to start from beginning. We h to start from scratch. And fitness was an area that Harendra sir (coach Herendra Singh) h pointed out and which needs a lot of work," she said.

"It was our mistake that we didn't work on fitness. But since sir came, we have worked a lot on our fitness. In today's level, if you don't have fitness, you can't play hockey because it is a fast sport and you need fitness." Salima said entire squ w realises importance of fitness.

In Monday's or matches, Japan will play South Korea in tournament opener, followed by game between China and Thailand.

timings of matches have been rescheduled in view of potential havoc due to a large insect infestation under floodlights.

As per revised schedule, first match of day will start at 12.15pm, followed by second at 2.30pm, and last at 4.45pm. Previously, matches were slated for evening slots at 3pm, 5.15pm and 7.30pm.