India Junior Women’s Hockey Team captain Shileima Chanu Khaidem believes that the team’s recent tour of the United Kingdom has prepared them well for the upcoming Women’s Junior Asia Cup in China. The tour, consisting of seven matches, saw the team face senior and age-group international opponents in Scotland and England, resulting in three wins, three defeats, and one shootout loss.
The tour began with challenging losses against Scotland’s senior team but the Indian squad bounced back impressively with a resounding 6-0 victory over the USA U-21 team. Led by Sukhveer Kaur’s brace, the team showcased a dominant performance, setting the tone for subsequent matches.
Reflecting on the tour, Shileima highlighted the diverse playing styles of the opposition that accelerated the team’s learning curve. She emphasized the importance of adapting quickly and improving with each match against strong international teams.
India’s resilience was evident throughout the tour, with notable performances from players like Sukhveer Kaur, Purnima Yadav, Shashi Khasa, Kajal, and Puja Sahoo. The team showed defensive improvement as well, securing clean-sheet victories over England after conceding goals in the initial matches against Scotland.
Looking ahead, Shileima expressed confidence in the team’s ability to leverage the tour experience for the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in China. She emphasized the invaluable lessons learned and the team’s determination to achieve their goals in the upcoming competition.
