High on confidence after a spate of good results, the Indian women's hockey team, led by ace goalkeeper Savita, will start as favourites in the five-match series against Malaysia beginning here on Thursday.
The Indian team goes into the series after a successful outing in Spain earlier this year, where it beat hosts and 2018 world cup bronze medalists, once (5-2), drew twice (1-1 and 2-2) and lost once (2-3).
If the Indian women's hockey team led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, on Thursday, will be on the field in the first match of the five-match series against Malaysia, then its goal will be with the win.
The last time India and Malaysia were in the 2017 Asia Cup, in which India won the round robin league by 2-0 and the final against China. The match between the two teams will be abandoned every single day. The final will be played on April 11.
The Indian team has been performing well for some time and it is considered to be a contender for the win.
The Indian team made a successful tour of Spain this year. He defeated the host and World Cup 2018 bronze medal by 5-2, played two match draws and lost one. The team washed out by 3-0 after playing the draw from 1-1 to the World Cup runner-up, Ireland.
"It is difficult to say how they play as we have not played against them in a while but the last time I saw Malaysia was during the Asian Games in Jakarta and that is a while ago. From what I saw there, they like to play long aerial balls and like to defend with a lot of passion," Marijne said.
Indian team coach Shard Marine said, 'It is not always possible to do the best. It requires a lot of discipline and responsibility. I am working hard for this. Our challenge is not with the opposition team but ourselves. "
