Only target is to qualify for Cup, says Savita

Bengaluru: In cricket, a wicket-keeper is the sentinel behind the stumps. In football, you can’t have a successful team without an able goalkeeper. The same is true for hockey, and India is lucky to have one the pluckiest custodians in the world, in no. 11 Savita Punia. Her shot-stopping efforts in front of goal were crucial to the Indian women’s victorious return from the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 in Canada last month.

The goalkeeper was kept busy in Vancouver, saving two penalties in a shoot-out in the first match against Uruguay, and closing out the tournament with a majestic performance in the shoot-out against finalists Chile.

“We had gained confidence from reaching the final. We had already played out a 2-2 draw against Chile in a practice match. For two months prior to that, we had been preparing for shootouts. The attackers were set, as were the goalkeepers for such an event,” said the goalkeeper of the tournament, on the mentality of the side during crunch moments in games.

After that triumph, the 27-year old from Haryana is here at Sports Authority of India’s Southern Centre as part of a 20-member squad training for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. This will be followed by another platform for the world no. 12 ranked side at the HWL semi-finals in Johannesburg from July 8 to 23, which provides the chance to qualify for the FIH World Cup 2018.

With five of the 10 participant teams in South Africa ranked higher than India, the Women in Blue are sure to face a tough test. However, Savita quelled any misgivings ahead of the semi-final.

“We know that most teams around the world are ranked higher than us. In today’s scheme of things, ranking isn’t very important. We know it’ll be tough, but we can take our victories in our stride towards qualification for the World Cup,” the custodian with over 130 international caps quipped.

Seven months on from a historic Rio Olympics where India’s women qualified to the finals after a gap of 36 years, the winds of change are blowing through the team. The side have a new coach in Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, who boasts an impressive resume with tournament wins for his country’s U-21 and senior squads. Marijne has in recent weeks warned of pressure against tougher-ranked opposition. His experienced shot-stopper was impressed with his methods.

“He doesn’t let us take it easy on the pitch. He has worked with the top teams and now is with us. Marijne believes in us and says that he doesn’t see a lot of difference between our ability (ranked 12 in the world) and that of the No.1 ranked side. That gives us confidence,” she noted.

The path ahead only gets steeper for Team India. But there’s an effervescence to this side. One that takes shape in terms of targets. “Our first target is to take it match by match and qualify for the World Cup. The coach has told us not to put too much pressure on ourselves, but this is what we want,” Savita remarked, signing off.