Women's hockey: a herculean task for defending champion India

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Melbourne, Mar 15 (UNI) It is going to be a herculean task for the Indian women hockey team to defend their gold as they take on mighty Australia in their opening match of the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

The Australian, fondly called Hockeyroos, start huge favourites to claim the gold and it will be a test by fire for the Indians to stop the hosts.

''It is going to be a hard match'', admitted Coach M K Kasushik.

''But my players are mentally prepared to take on the Hockeyroos.

To play the opening match against the strong opponent has both advantages and disadvantages. You are through with your toughest assignment and if you win it is a great boost.'' ''But but to start on the a losing note is a bit disheartning as well,'' he said.

''Every match is going to be important for us. Though Australia is the toughest side, South Africa is also very strong,'' Kaushik said.

The Indians face South Africa in their second match on March 18.

Kaushik, who had the distinction of being the coach of the men's hockey team which won the Asian gold medal only for the second time in 1998, was candid enough to admit that in this competition the girls will have to travel an extra mile to defend the title.

''I am very optimistic. I hope that the girls will give their best but I am also aware of the fact that our rivals are tough. We have to win at least three of the five matches in our pool to qualify in the last four stage.'' The two other sides in the five-team pool are Nigeria and Malaysia.

Pool 'B' has Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Bermuda.

''We do tend to relax against weaker teams but this attitude can prove dangerous. I'm trying to convince the girls that they should never underestimate their rivals,'' Kaushik said.

The coach said all the players are in good nick.

''We have been training hard and had very good workouts. But my only lament is that we did not have enough match practice before coming here. playing a friendly here is different from a serious match against a tough rival,'' he said.

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