Indian hockey forward Navneet Kaur stresses the crucial role of defensive skills for modern strikers as the team gears up for the FIH World Cup Qualifier, highlighting the evolving demands of the sport.
Key Points
- Navneet Kaur highlights the increasing importance of defensive skills for attacking players in modern hockey.
- The Indian women's hockey team is preparing for the FIH World Cup Qualifier in Hyderabad, aiming to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
- Kaur praises newly-appointed Head Coach Sjoerd Marijne's direct communication style and the team's familiarity with his expectations.
- Participation in the Hero Hockey India League has boosted the confidence and learning of younger players in the national camp.
India forward Navneet Kaur on Thursday said modern-day hockey demands much more from attacking players, stressing that even strikers must make strong defensive contributions.
The Indian women's team is currently preparing at the national camp ahead of the FIH World Cup Qualifier to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14.
"In today's hockey, attacking alone is not enough," said Kaur in a release issued by Hockey India.
"As a striker, defensive skills are also very important. I am focusing on tackling and applying pressure without the ball, because winning the ball back is a big advantage for the team."
World Cup Qualification Goals
The 30-year-old reiterated that the team's primary objective remains qualification for the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup scheduled to be held from August 14 to 30 in Netherlands.
"Our goal is very clear. We want to qualify for the World Cup and give our best performance in the qualifiers," she said.
The camp forms a key part of India's build-up to the World Cup Qualifier. The top three teams from the tournament will secure qualification for the World Cup.
Working with Coach Sjoerd Marijne
Speaking about working under newly-appointed Head Coach Sjoerd Marijne, Kaur said: "He has a very direct way of communicating. He tells us clearly what he expects from us, what we need to improve, and what kind of performance he wants on the pitch. There is no confusion, and that helps us work better as a team."
With several senior players having previously worked with Marijne, Kaur said the familiarity has helped the squad settle quickly.
"He understands how Indian players play, and we also know what he expects from us. That mutual understanding helps us move forward faster as a team," she said.
Benefits of Hockey India League
Kaur recently led her team, SG Pipers, to the Women's Hockey India League title.
"After playing in the Hero Hockey India League alongside foreign players, the confidence level is different among the younger players. The learning from that exposure is clearly visible when players come back into the national camp," she said.
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