India women's hockey team prepared for Champions Challenge 1

Glasgow, April 26 (IANS) After the 2-0 series win against Ireland, the Indian women’s hockey team is all set and prepared for the eighth Champions Challenge 1 which commences here Sunday.

India start their Pool A campaign against South Korea Sunday before facing Scotland (Monday) and Belgium (Wednesday).

The team boasts of seven players — Deep Grace Ekka, Monika, Lily Chanu, Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Namita Toppo and P. Sushila Chanu — from the Under-21 squad that bagged the bronze medal at the 2013 Junior World Cup in Mönchengladbach.

Along with the experience of captain Ritu Rani and Deepika, who have played more than 100 international matches, the team is looking at putting up a good show in Germany.

“We are fully prepared for the Champions Challenge 1 which will be an exciting tournament with challenges while playing against top ranked countries of the world. Korea is a tough team but the girls are confident of doing well. We will go by our planned strategies game-by-game,” said Ritu.

Coach Neil Hawgood said that South Korea will present a tough challenge to them and they can’t afford to take anyone lightly.

“We can’t take anyone lightly. Korea will be challenging as they are coming off a six-nation tournament played in New Zealand against the top teams in the world. We had good preparations before the tournament, playing three matches against Ireland,” said Hawgood.