Indian women’s hockey team braces up for tough Australia challenge

Tokyo, Aug 01 (PTI): The Indian women’s hockey team’s grit will be put through a severe test when it takes on Australia in the Olympic quarterfinals here on Monday, hoping to add another unexpected win to a dream run that has seen the side reach the last-eight stage for the first time.
India finished their Pool A proceedings in the fourth place with six points, riding on back-to-back wins over Ireland and South Africa. The top four teams from each pool made it to the knockout stage. The Indian women hockey team’s best finish at the Olympics came on debut in Moscow back in 1980 when it ended up at the fourth position among six teams. In that edition, only six teams participated out of which India finished fourth in a round-robin format competition with no classification or elimination matches.
Here in Tokyo, their campaign has been a story of resilience.
After losing their first three matches against Netherlands, Germany and defending champions Great Britain, the Indian women made a brilliant comeback, defeating higher-ranked Ireland 1-0 and overpowering South Africa 4-3 to keep themselves in the hunt.
India’s place in the last eight round was secured after Great Britain defeated Ireland 2-0 in the last Pool A match.
The Rani Rampal-led side showed grit and determination to bounce back after three consecutive defeats and it is this determination which the Australian will test like never before.
Veteran striker Vandana Kataria became the first from the country in women’s hockey to score a hat-trick and help her side’s cause.
And come tomorrow Vandana would be looking to continue her good run in the competition.
Throughout the tournament, the Indians have created numerous scoring chances, be it from penalty corners or open play, but they have lacked in finishing.
The Rani-led forward line has been impressive throughout the the pool stages but the likes of Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami and Rani herself have squandered many chances.