BENGALURU: From also-rans to podium contenders, the Indian women’s hockey team covered the distance at the
Tokyo Olympics
last year. But once the euphoria around their fourth-place finish ended, it was back to the grind for the team.
Much has changed in the last year. Sjoerd Marijne made way for
Janneke Schopman
as the head coach.
Wayne Lombard
quit as the scientific advisor. The face of the team and skipper Rani Rampal has been sidelined – battling injuries – which has seen goalkeeper Savita Punia assume leadership role.
In their first major outing after the Tokyo Games – the World Cup – the team finished a disappointing ninth recently. They were let down by lack of on-field conversion of opportunities and poor success rate in penalty corners. In the six matches they played, India earned 31 penalty corners and converted a mere three.
Going into the Commonwealth Games, beginning in Birmingham on July 28, this will be a major cause for concern. India, who will open their campaign against Ghana on July 29, touched down in Nottingham on Sunday for the final leg of their preparations.
Admitting the team fell short at the World Cup, head coach Schopm
