Top-ranked India will look for a second women’s hockey gold in the Asian Games when they open their campaign against Singapore here on Wednesday.

Placed seventh in the world, India are the top-ranked team in the competition ahead of defending champions and world No.10 Japan.

India had won the gold at the New Delhi Asiad in 1982.

The Savita Punia-led side are considered title favourites but in Japan, world No.11 China, and world No.12 Korea, some tough opponents await them on their way to ultimate glory.

Since their historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women are on a high under chief coach Janneke Schopman and would be gunning for gold, which will give them a direct ticket to the Paris Olympics.

“The team is in great shape heading into our first match against Singapore, we had identified areas of improvement and worked on it in the build-up to the Asian Games. The plan is to start strong and take charge of our game from the start whistle and finish as table toppers,” coach Schopman said.

Indian women have so far won six medals in the Asian Games (one gold, two silver and three bronze).

“We have a great opportunity to secure qualification for the Paris Olympics by winning the gold medal after a long wait,” Savita said.

Since 2014, India had faced Singapore thrice and won each time, with their
most recent victory coming during the women’s Asia Cup last year.

PTI