Exclusive: 'We need to believe that we have good chance of winning', Jannekke Schopman ahead of India vs China semifinal

The Indian women’s hockey team are set to face a tough challenge against hosts China in the semi-finals of the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, but head coach Janneke Schopman believes there is no pressure going into a high voltage clash. India, led by Savita, began their campaign in style, with a 13-0 win over Singapore in their first Pool match. That was followed by a 6-0 win over Malaysia, and a gritty 1-1 draw against Korea. In their final group stage match, India trounced Hong Kong with a 13-0 scoreline. The last time the two teams met was in the FIH Women’s World Cup in Netherlands last year, when they played out a 1-1 draw. “I don’t think it is really (a pressure). I think we have talked a lot about the pressure of this tournament for us. We are the highest ranked team here. We did discuss you, what that does. The pressure of being the favourites, having to win to qualify. We know we just have to play hockey. That’s what I keep telling them, “can we just play and show up on the field, and show what we can do”, Schopman said during the Mic Up segment of the First Sports show hosted by Rupha Ramani.

Schopman said that it was important for her players to believe in winning and enjoy the game. “I think we have a great chance of winning then, and maybe we still don’t win then. I can’t predict the future, but we need to believe that we have a very good chance of winning. They just need to play hockey and show the world what they are capable of because I think that’s what they deserve,” she added. The semi-final between India and China takes place on 5 October (Thursday).