After lacking out on this yr’s FIH Pro League, the Indian ladies’s hockey staff has some extent to show — that they belong among the many finest groups on the earth. The inaugural FIH Women’s Nations Cup, which begins on December 11 in Valencia, Spain, is a chance for Janneke Schopman’s facet to do exactly that, and finish their blended bag of a yr on a excessive.

Firstly, what’s this match all about?

The significance of this match lies in the truth that the winners will likely be promoted to play in subsequent season’s FIH Pro League.

An identical match passed off for the boys’s groups as nicely just lately, the place South Africa, the host nation, gained the title and can play within the 2023-24 season of the FIH Pro League.

So, who’re India going through within the match?

A complete of eight groups in two teams will combat it out for the title. India will face Chile, Japan and South Africa in Pool B. Pool A has Ireland, hosts Spain, Italy and South Korea.

India will play all groups from their group as soon as and the highest two make it to the semifinals. The ultimate is scheduled on 17 December, 2022.

What’s India’s schedule?

1. India vs. Chile on December 11 at 7.45 PM IST.

2. India vs. Japan on December 12 at 7.45 PM IST.

3. India vs. South Africa on December 14 at 7.45 PM IST.

Who is in India’s squad

Savita Punia has been named the captain of the staff whereas Deep Grace Ekka will likely be her deputy. Forward Beauty Dungdung will make her worldwide debut on the match whereas skilled midfielder Navjot Kaur returns to the squad after lacking the Birmingham Commonwealth Games because of COVID-19.

The staff largely consists of the core group of gamers who’ve been enjoying collectively for fairly a number of years now.

• Goalkeepers: Savita (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam

• Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary

• Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur

• Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung

Where is Rani Rampal?

Ever for the reason that Tokyo Olympics, the place Rampal helped her staff to complete fourth, the previous captain has been lacking from the nationwide staff, other than a lone match. She suffered from a critical hamstring damage and needed to miss this yr’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games.

She recovered from the damage and made a profitable return on the Gujarat National Games, serving to her state Haryana win gold. She was arguably the most effective participant on the Games, enjoying in all six matches and scoring 18 objectives.

Despite there being no damage issues now, Schopman hasn’t picked her for the Nations Cup. She didn’t give any concrete causes besides indicating that health sensible, Rampal isn’t on the stage she wanted to be. “I pick the team that is competitive and right now the best fit to perform to the best of their abilities. The emphasis is on ‘right now’,” Schopman mentioned throughout an earlier interaction with ESPN.

What are India’s possibilities within the match?

Taking rankings into context, India are second finest (8) behind Spain (7) earlier than the beginning of the match. India are anticipated to complete within the prime two, however will face powerful competitors for the highest spot from Japan in Pool B. Spain and Ireland are favourites to qualify for the semifinals from the opposite pool.

It’s pertinent to do not forget that Spain beat India 1-0 within the Women’s World Cup earlier this yr, which knocked them out of the tournament. Spain are additionally the host nation in order that they’ll pay attention to the situations and higher ready than a lot of the groups.

The format is such that solely champions are rewarded by way of a spot within the FIH Pro League. India run the chance of lacking out on enjoying high quality matches even when they endure one dangerous recreation.

What are the problems India must type?

Under Schopman, India’s general attacking recreation has improved — they transfer the ball rapidly by the midfield and create alternatives to attain. Other groups know that India will come at them exhausting with their press and ball motion, so they have an inclination to defend deep.

While Vandana is normally dependable, she’s going to need assistance from her fellow forwards relating to scoring. This is the place Sharmila Devi could not make it depend and was dropped: she was moving into nice positions contained in the circle, however her ending was poor.

The addition of Beauty Dungdung guarantees pleasure. The 19-year-old ahead from Jharkhand is without doubt one of the finest abilities round within the nation, having represented India within the junior World Cup and helped the staff end fourth.

Another necessary side is the conversion of penalty corners. Gurjit Kaur, India’s penalty nook specialist, didn’t have an incredible yr. In reality, the penalty nook conversion price was one of many biggest factors in India’s disappointing run on the World Cup, the place they completed ninth. Gurjit has stored her place within the staff, however this could be because of the truth that India haven’t got higher choices for the time being.

“I was disappointed about our penalty corner execution and I was trying to figure out why. There are multiple reasons, I think,” mentioned Schopman. “I actually put an open-ended question to players as well, asking them where you think we can make improvements. It was quite welcoming. In the bigger scheme of things, we need to develop more dragflickers in general. The problem for me specifically is when (new players) come to the senior team, it’s already too late. It’s unlikely that someone who starts dragflicking after they come to the senior team will be a world threat.”

Where can this match be watched?

India’s matches will likely be streamed stay on Fancode and Watch Hockey apps.