India’s victory against New Zealand on January 14, 2024, breathed new life into the women’s hockey team’s Olympic aspirations. However, sitting in the third position in a four-team pool with only one game left presents a less-than-ideal scenario for Coach Janneke Schopman.

Following a day’s break on Monday to regroup, the Indian team, gearing up for the final group match against Italy, adhered to its routine of having only the goalkeepers train for over an hour. While the win against New Zealand signaled a positive shift, the team remains aware of the need to maintain their top form to avoid any setbacks.

Transitioning from a disjointed and dysfunctional group to a cohesive unit within 24 hours was a welcome change. Coach Schopman attributed this turnaround to a shift in mindset, acknowledging the players’ initiative in holding a meeting and reorienting themselves for the New Zealand match.

As the focus turns to Italy, perceived as a lesser threat than the USA, India recognizes its greatest adversary – inconsistency. The team oscillates between mediocre and near-perfect performances, often requiring a do-or-die situation to bring out their best. Coach Schopman emphasized the significance of handling pressure and urged the team to play for themselves and seize the opportunity.

Against Italy, India faces the challenge of dealing with a strong defensive structure and a reliance on counters and patience. Maintaining a disciplined structure will be crucial for India’s success. The outcome will only be meaningful if other results favor India, potentially making goal difference a decisive factor.

Reflecting on the New Zealand game, Coach Schopman acknowledged the near-perfect performance but emphasized the need for improvement. Looking ahead to the Italy match, she highlighted the opponent’s feisty spirit and stressed the importance of strategic ball movement, patience, and effective execution of penalty corners.

With the USA aiming to stay unbeaten and top Pool B, India, playing last in the group, holds the advantage of knowing the requirements for progression. A win for the USA simplifies calculations, while a loss or draw brings out the calculators for India. The host team is hopeful that the situation won’t come down to intricate calculations, emphasizing the importance of a strong performance against Italy.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Hindu}