India will meet Malaysia in their first match of the Asia Cup in Muscat. Ace goalkeeper Savita Punia is leading the team in the absence of regular skipper Rani, who is undergoing a rehab at the Sports Authority of India in Bengaluru. Deep Grace Ekka will be Savita’s deputy at the Asia Cup.
Savita Punia said the team’s experience will be key to their performance at the prestigious quadrennial continental tournament. The Asia Cup is also a qualifying event for the FIH Women’s World Cup 2022.
She added:
India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup. In the 2017 edition of the Asia Cup, India beat China 5-4 on penalties to be crowned champions.
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Savita Punia hopes for a good start in Asia Cup
The defending champions are grouped in Pool A along with Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
As with every tournament, Savita Punia emphasized, getting off to a good start will give the team the right momentum.
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Savita Punia said the team’s experience at the Tokyo Olympics has instilled a ’never-give-up’ attitude and she believes the players will fight until the last minute.
After the match against Malaysia on January 21, India will play Japan on January 23 and will take on Singapore in their last pool A match on January 24.
The semifinals of the Asia Cup will be played on January 26 and the final on January 28.
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