Indian Women’s Hockey Team Heads to Europe for Key FIH Pro League 2024-25 Matches
New Delhi, May 29 (The Trending People): The Indian Women’s Hockey Team has departed from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, for Amsterdam on Wednesday, kicking off the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25. The tour will see India face powerhouse teams including Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China in a series of crucial matches that will likely define their Pro League campaign.
Intensive Training in Amsterdam Before Clash with Giants
The team will set up base in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and train there until June 8. This preparatory phase is vital, as the players will fine-tune strategies and on-field chemistry ahead of their first four matches in London, United Kingdom.
Match Schedule: High-Stakes Encounters Across Europe
The Indian team’s schedule for the European leg is packed with challenging fixtures:
- June 14 & 15 – vs Australia (Hockeyroos), London
- June 17 & 18 – vs Argentina, London
- June 21 & 22 – vs Belgium, Antwerp
- June 28 & 29 – vs China, Berlin
Captain Salima Tete: “This Leg Is Crucial for Us”
Ahead of departure, Captain Salima Tete expressed the importance of the European leg:
“This is a very crucial leg of the FIH Pro League for us, as we will be facing four very strong teams. We’ve already played a test match against Australia earlier this year, and we’ll further fine-tune our strategy in Amsterdam before our matches against the Hockeyroos and others.”
Vice-Captain Navneet Kaur: “We’re Confident After Bhubaneswar Performance”
Echoing the captain’s sentiment, Vice-Captain Navneet Kaur added:
“We know we have some tough games ahead, but the team is confident after our performance in the Bhubaneswar leg of the Pro League. We’re determined to go all out and collect valuable points in Europe.”
India’s Current Standing: Room to Climb
India currently sits 6th on the FIH Pro League 2024-25 table, with 9 points from 8 matches. Here’s how the top of the table looks:
- Netherlands – 19 points (8 matches)
- Belgium – 17 points
- China – 16 points
- Spain – 14 points
- Argentina – 14 points (goal difference)
- India – 9 points
A strong showing in Europe could catapult India into the top tier of the standings, keeping their hopes alive for a podium finish this season.
Momentum from Previous Matches
India enters the European leg on the back of encouraging performances:
- Held World No. 1 Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in February during the Bhubaneswar leg and earned a bonus point via shootout.
- Played five friendly matches in Perth earlier this month against Australia A and the Hockeyroos, using the tour to test combinations and strengthen bench depth.
Why This Tour Matters
With just six matches remaining in their European campaign, India has the opportunity to:
- Gain valuable FIH Pro League points
- Improve global rankings and Olympic preparedness
- Strengthen squad depth with rotation against top-tier teams
The exposure and experience will be crucial for India as they continue their preparation for future global tournaments including the Asian Games and Paris 2024 Olympics.
For full match reports, score updates, and exclusive interviews from the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25, stay tuned with TheTrendingPeople.com – your reliable source for real-time sports news and analysis.