Tough British test awaits Indian women’s hockey team today

Great Britain, the bronze winners from the 2012 London Olympics, is a stronger team compared to Japan and coach Neil Hawgood believes that the experience gained during the exposure tour the girls had in England in May will help them in the encounter.

After an inspired performance against Japan in their opening match at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they came from behind to force a 2-2 draw, the women’s team, led by Sushila Chanu, will take on Great Britain in a late match on Monday (August 9, 2:30 am IST).

India came back from a 0-2 deficit to draw 2-2 against Japan in the opening match on Sunday. (AFP)

In their historic appearance at the Olympic Games, 36 years after they first played in the Moscow Olympics, the women put up a brave front to comeback strongly after a 0-2 deficit in against Japan on Sunday. But Great Britain, the bronze winners from the 2012 London Olympics, is a much stronger team and coach Neil Hawgood believes that the experience gained during the exposure tour the girls had in England in May will help them in the encounter.

“The England tour was an exposure tournament,” said Hawgood. “It was planned to ensure the girls understand their (Great Britain’s) game. It was the first time this team was ever playing Great Britain and there was a lot that we learnt from that tour.”