Tokyo Olympics: Tough German test awaits Indian women's hockey team next

Indian women’s hockey team will be eager to bounce back from their opening match defeat when they take on World No.3 Germany on Monday in the Tokyo Olympics. After suffering a 5-1 hammering in the first match against the Netherlands, India have another difficult task awaiting them at the Oi Hockey Stadium on Monday. Earlier, the Indian women’s hockey team had qualified for their second successive edition of the Olympics since 1980, on the back of a 6-5 aggregate win over the USA. However, they lacked the killer attacking instinct in the group opener against the Netherlands and will be looking to put up an improved showing on Monday against Germany.

The Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal had scored the only goal for the team in their match against the Netherlands. She felt that the side can take a lot of confidence from the way they played against the Dutch. “We can definitely take a lot of positives from our first match. We played an aggressive brand of hockey, especially in the first half. We created many chances and also capitalized on one chance in the first quarter itself. We were in control for the better part of the match against the best side in the world and that has definitely raised our confidence,” said Rani.

We have to be on top of our game: Rani Rampal

Their Monday opponents, Germany, had defeated Great Britain 2-1 in their first Pool A match on Sunday. Speaking about their next match against Germany, Rani said, “Germany are a good side too. We have to be on top of our game. We have looked at the mistakes we made in our first match and we will try to rectify them in our next match. We have to stay positive and keep backing our skills throughout the competition.”

Chief Coach of the Indian women’s team, Sjoerd Marijne, informed that the team has looked at the footage of their match against the Netherlands and has taken note of the key points they need to work on. “We have watched the match against the Netherlands together and have spoken about the points we need to improve and we are currently focusing on that. Germany are also a very strong side. If we can be consistent during the whole match then the result will be better.”

After Germany, India will take on Great Britain, Ireland, and South Africa in their remaining Pool A matches. With a lot of tough games awaiting them, India will look to get something from the match against Germany on Monday.