Indian women's hockey coach Harendra Singh gets it right in Asia Cup

CHENNAI: For the Indian women’s hockey team, a 13-year drought has ended. The Asia Cup was an important tournament for them, a chance to prove that their bad performance in the World Hockey League, a few months ago, was an aberration.

That the men’s team claimed the continental title on October 28 added to the anticipation.

The onus was on coach Harendra Singh, who helmed the team in Japan, to leave a good first impression as women’s team coach. Winning the Asia Cup was important for the ladies, not just to qualify for the World Cup, but also to set the tone under a new coach.

Harendra is expected to be with the team for two crucial events — the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup in London. 

Before leaving for the Asia Cup, team members had revealed that communication was one of the areas that had improved tremendously under him. Previously coached by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, players found it easy to converse with a local coach. That, and his understanding of them, contributed to Sunday’s triumph.

“After taking charge of the side one month before the Asia Cup, the coach responded well with the pressure and responsibility. Even as a coach, it takes time to understand the team and set strategies according to players’ strength and weaknesses. But he was monumental in that. Har ek ladki ko acchi tharah samaj lethe hai (he reads every player well). He will politely tell the player if she is wrong or has to improve in certain areas,” said goalkeeper Savita Punia from Kakamigahara.

The win on Sunday though did not come easily for Rani Rampal & Co, with China taking the game to the penalty shootout, before the Indians triumphed 5-4. Though Navjot Kaur scored in the third quarter, China’s Tiantian Luo made sure India did not have it straightforward. The score read 1-1 at the end of the fourth quarter. But with the penalty shootout locked at 4-4, Rani scored one and Savita saved another.
The 27-year-old Savita though revealed that they were prepared for a penalty shootout.

“We were all set for a dramatic final. We knew beating China was going to be hard. The way Gurjit Kaur and other junior players handled pressure was commendable. Her penalty corner conversion has improved under him (Harendra). We had certain strategies to go against China and we are glad we executed them,” said Savita, who was adjudged goalkeeper of the tournament for the second time in a row. “But it’s better this time because we have the gold as well,” she said.

This victory, coming after 13 years, will lend the team a lot of confidence as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup.

“It’s good for our coach to win a major title in his first assignment. We are also more confident of performing well under him. This was a team effort,” said Savita.

srinidhi@newindianexpress.com