The tour, which includes a series of friendly matches against the host nation, has been regarded as an essential opportunity to gain valuable exposure and fine-tune their skills. Captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, Savita Punia, expressed her confidence in the team’s development during this tour, emphasizing the importance of international competition ahead of the Asian Games.
Savita Punia, an experienced goalkeeper who has been a pivotal figure in India’s rise in international hockey, spoke highly of the team’s decision to tour Spain. Competing against strong teams like Spain will give us an excellent opportunity to gauge our performance and identify areas where we need to improve, she said. Spain has a formidable women’s hockey team, and playing against them will provide us with the necessary challenge and exposure to enhance our game.
The Spanish tour serves as a vital part of the Indian women’s hockey team’s preparations for the Asian Games, which are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China later this year. The Games will witness a fierce battle for supremacy among the continent’s top hockey-playing nations, and India aims to improve upon their performance from the previous edition.
Punia, who was part of the historic Indian women’s hockey team that clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, stressed the importance of this tour in shaping the team’s mindset and building chemistry among the players. Playing in different conditions, against skilled opponents, will help us adapt and understand various playing styles. It will also help us identify our strengths and weaknesses, enabling us to strategize and work on our game plan accordingly, she added.
The Indian women’s hockey team has been consistently making strides in recent years, and their remarkable performances on the international stage have garnered significant attention. Punia believes that the tour of Spain will further contribute to their growth and sharpen their skills. Our focus is to continue our upward trajectory and maintain our winning momentum. The exposure gained through this tour will be instrumental in shaping our performance at the Asian Games, she stated optimistically.
The Indian women’s hockey team’s tour of Spain will span over two weeks, encompassing intense training sessions and friendly matches against the Spanish side. The team management has ensured that strict COVID-19 protocols are in place to safeguard the players’ health and maintain a safe sporting environment.
As the Indian women’s hockey team strives to make a mark at the Asian Games, the Spanish tour presents an opportunity for them to test their mettle against tough opponents. With the guidance of Captain Savita Punia and the coaching staff, the team aims to utilize this exposure to further elevate their game and bring glory to their nation at the prestigious sporting event.
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