There is no team India cannot compete with: Savita Punia on hockey World Cup chances
India goalkeeper Savita Punia has seen it all during her hockey career. She has seen the highs with the team and the lows while standing as the wall in front of goal. But in her third appearance at the Hockey World Cup, the 36-year-old is heading to the tournament with confidence in India’s chances.
The Indian women’s team’s best finish at the World Cup was way back in 1974, when they finished fourth. Since then, they have struggled, finishing 8th and 9th in the last two editions.
However, Savita feels that the FIH Nations Cup win this year is going to be a real turning point for them. Speaking to JioHotstar, the veteran goalkeeper said that winning a gold medal has given the team belief and has lifted the team’s morale.
Savita feels that given how India have performed against the big teams in recent times, they can go toe-to-toe with the world’s best.
“Winning the FIH Nations Cup was a big achievement because all the top teams were there. It was a competitive tournament, and coming out on top gave us a huge boost and winning a gold medal after a long time has lifted the team’s morale and belief. In recent years, during the FIH Pro League, we have played close matches against top sides like Argentina, Netherlands, and Germany. Those games showed us that we can match the best teams in the world.”
“I can confidently say about this Indian women’s hockey team that while all the teams are world-class, there is no team we cannot compete with. We have the skill, the fitness, and the mindset to challenge anyone on our day,” said Savita.
‘INDIA HAVE A CHANCE TO FINISH ON PODIUM’
Savita said that the team’s focus will be on their own game. She feels that if the team play’s to its strengths then a medal is possible at the World Cup.
“We are going into the Women’s Hockey World Cup with a lot of confidence, but our main focus is on our own game. Every team in the World Cup is strong, and there are no easy matches.”
“But if we play to our strengths and stick to our plans, we have a real chance of finishing on the podium. We are putting in the hard work every single day, both individually and as a unit,” said Savita.
The Indian goalkeeper also said a shift in mentality for the team as the players are taking more ownership when it comes to fitness, recovery and diet among other things.
“The approach has changed over time. Earlier, players used to do only what the coach told them. Now, everyone takes ownership of their fitness and recovery. We pay attention to diet, injury prevention, and extra sessions. As goalkeepers, we often have three or four additional sessions in a week, but we stay motivated because we know it will help us perform when it matters most,” said Savita.
India will start their campaign against China on August 16.
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