Amstelveen, Netherlands: India’s women’s hockey team has made significant progress at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup, and the players now believe they are capable of performing at an even higher level, head coach Schuurman said ahead of their final classification match against Germany.
The Indian team will face Germany at the Wagener Stadium on Thursday in a match that will determine their final position in the tournament. Despite narrowly missing out on a semi-final berth, India’s spirited campaign has impressed against some of the world’s leading sides.
Speaking ahead of the match, Schuurman said the team had taken a major step forward during the World Cup and gained confidence from competing strongly against elite opponents.
“Our team has made a lot of progress at this World Cup and has impressed everyone with its fighting spirit against the top teams,” he said.
India registered a convincing victory over South Africa and produced a strong performance against reigning world and Olympic champions the Netherlands despite eventually losing the match.
Schuurman said the goalless draw against Australia, which denied India a place in the semi-finals, was disappointing but could also prove beneficial because it had left the players convinced that they could achieve more.
“The disappointment of not reaching the semi-finals against Australia is there, but in a way it is a good thing. It means the Indian girls feel they can perform even better,” he said.
The coach pointed out that India had achieved its best FIH World Cup ranking position since 1974 during the current campaign, but stressed that the team’s ambitions extend beyond that achievement.
He also praised the contribution of the senior players, who have worked closely with the younger members of the squad and helped create a balanced unit.
The Germany match, according to Schuurman, will provide India with another opportunity to demonstrate that it can produce an even stronger performance than it did against Australia.
The team’s campaign has also been significant for several young players making their World Cup debut. Experienced goalkeeper Savita has continued to provide leadership at the back, while younger players such as Bichu Devi Kharibam and 18-year-old Shilpi Dabas have gained valuable experience on the international stage.
Bichu Devi missed Wednesday’s training session because of fever, although she was expected to be available for the crucial Germany encounter.
Meanwhile, midfielder Sunelita Toppo said India’s performance at the World Cup had increased the team’s confidence ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.
“We came very close to reaching the semi-finals after the goalless draw against Australia, but the fighting spirit we showed has given us confidence that we can perform even better at the Asian Games,” Toppo said.
Toppo highlighted the team’s ability to play as a cohesive unit despite the presence of several players appearing at the World Cup for the first time.
Eleven Indian players, including Toppo, were making their World Cup debut. She said the younger players benefited greatly from the guidance and experience of the senior members of the squad.
The midfielder added that every player had contributed with determination and a collective desire to produce India’s best possible performance.
India’s campaign has therefore provided more than just a strong World Cup finish. It has also given the team valuable experience against top-ranked opposition and strengthened belief within the squad ahead of the next major international challenge.
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