New Delhi, 14 June (H.S.):

The Indian women's hockey team is all set to begin its campaign in the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025-26 in Auckland, New Zealand. Led by captain Salima Tete, the team will be aiming to win the title and secure qualification for next year's FIH Hockey Pro League.

India will open its Pool A campaign against the United States on June 15, followed by matches against Japan and Uruguay. The winner of the eight-nation tournament will earn a coveted place in the FIH Hockey Pro League.

A notable aspect of India's preparation is its recent four-match tour of Australia, where the team competed against one of the strongest sides in world hockey on its home turf. After narrowly losing the opening match, India bounced back impressively to win the next two games. Australia claimed victory in the final match, resulting in a 2-2 draw in the friendly series.

The tour provided several encouraging signs for the Indian side. The team displayed resilience under pressure, maintained tactical discipline throughout all phases of play, and showcased an aggressive attacking approach. These performances further highlighted the steady progress made by the squad in recent months.

Ahead of the Nations Cup, Indian women's hockey team head coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed confidence in the team's preparation and mindset.

The Australia tour was excellent preparation for us. We are moving in the right direction as a team. Our complete focus is now on the Nations Cup, and we want to make the most of this opportunity, he said.

Marijne also stressed the importance of remaining calm and composed during major tournaments.

In competitions like these, small moments often make the biggest difference. We need to stay disciplined, remain united as a team, and capitalize on our opportunities. Our objective is not only to achieve strong results but also to build a solid foundation for the future. We understand the expectations, and the players are highly motivated to give their best for the country, he added.

Ahead of the tournament, Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, extended his best wishes to the team.

The Women's Nations Cup presents a significant opportunity for our team to showcase its growth and determination on the international stage. The players have worked extremely hard in preparation for this tournament, and I am confident they will compete with belief and enthusiasm in every match, he said.

Tirkey added that while qualification for the FIH Hockey Pro League remains an important objective, it is equally vital to build a team capable of consistently competing against the world's best sides. He wished the players and support staff success and expressed hope that they would make the nation proud.

India's Pool Stage Fixtures:

June 15 – India vs United States

June 16 – India vs Japan

June 18 – India vs Uruguay

The tournament offers India a crucial opportunity to earn promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League while further establishing itself among the leading teams in international women's hockey.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar