Women's hockey team confident
of winning a medal
Harpal Singh Bedi in Bangkok
India start favourites as they take on hosts Thailand in their opening fixture of the women's hockey competition in the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok tomorrow.
"The round robin league format of the competition is good for us, it will give our players a chance to cover up their grey areas," said coach G S Bhangu.
''We have a reasonably good chance to strike a medal here if our forwards click," the coach said.
He admitted that defending champion South Korea and China are very tough sides, but added, "This is the Asian Games and every country sends its best side."
Bhangu was of the view that a good showing in the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, where India finished fourth, has boosted the players' morale.
Even in the Utrecht World Cup, where the Indians ended last, the performance was not bad, but luck deserted the team, he said.
The coach said the players were looking forward to the start of the competition. "All of them are fully fit," he said, adding that winger Kamla Dalal has recovered from her mild illness and will play if need be in the opener.
The Indian attack will revolve around Pritam Thakran, Nidhi Khullar and Manjinder Kaur. Bhangu was hopeful the trio would perform up to potential.
On paper, the Indian half line is very sound, marshalled by veteran Sita Gussein with Kamla Dalal and Waikom covering the flanks. World Cup captain Sandeep Kaur heads the defence.
Given the team's form, India should end its sixteen-year medal drought with determination, a good display and luck.
With Sri Lanka's withdrawal from the event, the organisers rescheduled the whole programme and decided to play the competition on a league basis.
India, after playing Thailand, faces China on December 10, Uzbekistan on December 12, South Korea on December 13, Kazakhstan on December 15 and Japan on December 16.
UNI
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