India women set to take on depleted Netherlands in FIH Pro League tie

Netherlands have arrived with their second-string side but the Indian women's hockey team still faces a stern test when it clashes with the world number one rival in the double-leg FIH Pro League tie, starting here on Friday. None of the players, that competed for the Netherlands during their successful Olympic campaign, features in the visiting side but the Indians can't breath easy, going by the standard of the sport in the Dutch land. The last time, the two teams clashed during the Tokyo Olympics, the Netherlands had hammered India 5-1. However, the Indian women so far have done well in their debut season. They are placed fourth in the standings with 12 points from six games. Netherlands, on the other hand, are sitting atop the table with 17 points from six matches. India captain Savita is aware of Netherlands' strengths but since they are playing at home and have a Dutch coach to guide in Janneke Schopman, it might help them in some way. "Netherlands is of course the world no. 1 team but if we recollect our last match against them -- first match in Olympics, we held them 1-1 till first half. In the second half we committed mistakes. "Now the team is quite excited that again we are getting a chance to play Netherlands and that too at home, so we will give our best," Savita said at the virtual pre-match press conference.

But the Indians can heave a sigh of relief that the Dutch have fielded a completely new-look and young side for these two encounters. "Our main focus is on our team but we need to respect the opposition and work on their strengths and weaknesses. The club hockey in Netherlands is very strong, even if their main players are not coming, they have enough resources to build a strong team. New players got