Indian women’s hockey team starts Asian Games preparation with Europe tour - full schedule
The Savita Punia-led India will start their tour with a one-off match against China followed by two Tests against hosts Germany.
Hockey
With just over two months to go for the Asian Games 2023, the Indian women's hockey team will be in Germany to play three preparatory matches, two against the hosts and a one-off against the People’s Republic of China.
India will play their first and only Test match against China in Limburg on Sunday. After a day’s break, India will play back-to-back Test matches versus Germany in Wiesbaden and Russelsheim.
Goalkeeper Savita Punia will continue to captain the side while defender Deep Grace Ekka will be the vice-captain for the tour. Former captain Rani Rampal, who has been struggling with injuries, isn’t part of the 20-member squad named by coach Janneke Schopman.
“Playing against quality sides in the lead-up to the Asian Games will give us a good learning experience. These matches will be really important for us,” Savita Punia said ahead of the tour.
The last time India faced off against China was in the FIH Women's World Cup 2022 and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The two teams have played against each other 17 times since the 2013 Women's Asia Cup with India emerging victorious on 10 occasions while China have won five.
India are currently ranked eighth in the FIH women’s hockey rankings while China are 11th.
Against world No. 4 Germany, the Indian women have played five matches since 2013, winning two and losing three. The two teams last squared off against each other in the FIH Pro League 2021-22 on March 13 last year. India won the shoot-out 3-0 after the scores were tied at 1-1 after regulation time.
India’s midfield will have a mix of youth and experience with the likes of Salima Tete and Navneet Kaur in the side. Veteran Vandana Katariya will spearhead the Indian frontline.
India’s matches in Germany will be followed by a trip to Spain for the Torneo del Centenario hockey tournament, scheduled between July 25 to 30.
Indian women's hockey team tour of Germany 2023 schedule and start times
All in Indian Standard Time (IST)
- July 16, Sunday: India vs China - 7:30 PM
- July 18, Tuesday: Germany vs India - 2:30 PM
- July 19, Wednesday: Germany vs India - 9:00 PM
Indian women's hockey team for Germany tour
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (vice-captain), Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Udita, P Sushila Chanu
Midfielders: Nisha, Monika, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Baljeet Kaur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Jyoti Chhatri
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Deepika