Hawke's Bay Cup: Indian women's hockey team to leave for New Zealand on Tuesday

The Indian women's hockey team will depart for New Zealand on Tuesday

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The Indian women's hockey team will depart for New Zealand on Tuesday to participate in the Hawke's Bay Cup. The team will play their first match against China on April 11.

"We are not allowing our last unbeaten win during the World League Round 2 to affect us. While we are high on confidence, we are not forgetting the fact that we are due to meet teams like Australia, New Zealand and China," defender Sushila Chanu said.

"Our focus presently is on our first clash against China. They are a strong team but we are positive of a win. The plan is to look for the initial opportunity to score and this will help put pressure on them."

Also, goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu said that the national team was working on bench strength ahead of the Hawke's Bay Cup, and apart from the experienced goalkeeper Savita, 24-year-old Rajani also plays an important role in the team's planning and combinations at the ongoing preparatory camp at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

"We are working very hard as a whole team and making the 18-member squad a strong team. Here each player is important and with new rules and regulations for substitution, all the players must be at the same level," Rajani said.

"Strong bench strength is very important for a balanced team as coaches have various options and players can be rotated during the matches. We are practicing hard as a single unit and keeping same strategies in our minds," she added.

"The tournament will give us valuable experience before the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final. We are looking forward to the tournament." she said.

The Hawke's Bay Cup will be played from April 11 to 19 with India, Argentina, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and New Zealand fighting for the title.