A fruitful tour for Indian women's team

By Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 18. A mix of youngsters and seasoned players jelled well in the later stages of their twin-tour of New Zealand and Australia providing promise for the Indian women's hockey, which has a hectic season ahead.

A 2-2 draw against New Zealand in the four-match Test series, and a 1-0 win against the Australian Institute of Sports (AIS) teams in the three-match practice series, turned out to be something close to expectations.

``This is just the beginning. We are in the process of making a strong team,'' said the Indian Women's Hockey Federation (IWHF) Secretary, Mrs. Amrit Bose on Monday. Ever since India faced a reverse in the Olympic Games qualifiers, in Milton Keynes, England, last year when several senior players skipped the tournament, women's hockey has been going through the rebuilding process.

The team for the 17-day tour down under included seven players from the under-21 squad that played in the Junior World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Young forward Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu was the find of the tour. She returned as the top scorer with five goals to her credit. Overall, the Indian team scored ten goals in the seven matches it played, and Sanggai's performance, especially against the AIS sides, was spectacular.

``Sanggai was the best. She did extremely well in the forward line,'' said team captain Tingoliema Chanu. Suman Bala in the back and Agnecia Lugun, all from the junior team, impressed the team management with their performance right from the start. ``They were the only players from among the juniors who played all the matches. Rest got the chance in one or two matches,'' said Tingoliema after the team returned here early this morning. India opened its campaign on a dour note with a 1-3 loss to New Zealand. Seasoned Manjinder Kaur was the scorer. A 0- 1 loss in the second further dipped the spirits, but the team bounced back. Identical 1-0 wins with Sanggai and Jyoti Sunita Kullu being the scorers in the third and fourth matches respectively pepped the team up ahead of the Australian tour.

India drew its match 3-3 against AIS team with Sanggai scoring a brace. Kullu was the other scorer. Sanggai continued her splendid form in the second match as she scored two goals in India's 3-1 win. Manjinder slotted the third one for India. With full-back Amandeep Kaur's lone goal in the match against the Western AIS team, India ended its campaign on a 1-1 note. ``Initially we had problem in coordination as there were many junior players in the team. But, as the matches went by, we grew in confidence,'' said Tingoliema. After practising in hot weather here, the Indians landed in New Zealand where the conditions were cold. ``It took us time to acclimatise. In fact we played the fourth match in pouring rain,'' said Tingoliema.

The team's next goal is the World Cup qualifiers, scheduled in France from September 18 to 30. The team would disperse from here and re-assemble in Patiala on July 1 for a month-long camp. India has received invitations from Russia and Lithuania to play in five-nation tournaments, warm-up events for the World Cup qualifiers.

The IWHF has not decided yet about which tournament to enter. Mrs Bose said that teams from Europe and Central Asia were expected to figure in both the tournaments to be held in August.

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