India hockey women train eyes on CWG medal

NEW DELHI - The Indian women’s hockey team’s preparations are well on their way and their sights are firmly trained on a medal at the Commonwealth Games competition beginning here Oct 4.

A 3-1 win against a lower-ranked Canada in a practice game Thursday morning put the players in good heart despite the absence of star striker Rani Rampal who is down with fever.

Rampal, only 15, emerged the top scorer from open play with a tally of seven out of the 11 goals that India scored in the World Cup in Argentina earlier this month. She was also adjudged the best “young player of the tournament”.

Team coach Sandeep Somesh dispelled fears and asserted that Rampal will be back to full fitness in time for Indias opening game against Scotland Oct 4.

“She is down with high temperature, but is recovering and I am sure she will be ready for our opening match,” said Somesh.

India are scheduled to play Wales in their second and concluding practice game Friday at 2 p.m. following which the players will have a 48-hour recovery break ahead of the game against Scotland.

“We will be playing Wales tomorrow, but I will not risk Rampal and she will be resting. It is just a practice game and, so, no point in risking her,” said Somesh.

Rampal has emerged as a key player in Indias line-up and is expected to play a critical role.

“She is very talented and good inside the striking circle. She needs to work on her speed, but otherwise, she is an excellent finisher,” said Somesh.

In Thursday mornings game, Jasjeet Kaur, Saba Anjum and Subhadra Pradhan scored for India, but the victory notwithstanding, Somesh opined that the task ahead would not be easy.

Silver medallists in 2006 and gold medal winners in 2002 at Manchester, India are in Group A along with defending champions Australia, South Africa, Scotland and Trinidad-Tobago.