Indian women eye World Cup berth

India, which won silver medal at the Bangkok Asian Games in December last year, has had relatively mixed fortunes this year and will look to round off the century’s last big hockey competition on a winning note.

The hosts’ best result this year has been a bronze finish at the four-nation tournament in May Down Under’ featuring South Africa, Korea and hosts Australia.

The 26-year-old Gussain will rely on experience of her predecessor Pritam Rani Siwach to do the trick and make the 18-member squadplay as team.

India settled for bronze behind Korea and China in the last edition held at Hiroshima in 1993, but the current Indian team is much better and fitter but its opponents have also made manifold progress – both in technique and strategy.

On the eve of the ten-day six-nation tournament, India sounded optimistic, despite the presence of Korea and China, who could be the potential threats.

For the record, India has beaten Korea twice in the Asia Cup and will look to maintain the trend when the two teams meet in their last league encounter on December 7.