'Speed and quick counter-attack will be key in Hawk's Bay Cup'

Indian women's hockey young midfielder Navjot Kaur on Saturday said the national team is working on improving their running speed and counter-attacking strategies that will be key in the Hawke's Bay Cup to be held in New Zealand from April 11 to 19.

The tournament will witness India, Argentina, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and New Zealand fighting it out for the title.

"We are going to face the best hockey teams in the world and it will not always be easy to materialise the opportunities in goals. We are working on all aspects of the game, from basic quick running to out-of-the-box strategies," Navjot said in a release.

"Speed and counter-attack will be the key factor in the tournament. We have to react quickly and should look at entering the opponents' D in a few seconds," Navjot, who was part of the bronze medal winning squad in the 2014 Asian Games, added.

Navjot will be accompanied by other midfielders such as captain Ritu Rani, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz, Liliy Chanu and Sondarya Yendala, who are part of the 18-member squad.

"Only speed and quick counter-attack can surprise the best teams and allow us to take an edge," Navjot, member of the bronze medal winning squad in the 2013 Junior World Cup, said.

We are working on these areas and have improved a lot. I am looking forward to the tournament."

The ongoing preparatory camp here for the Indian team under the guidance of high performance director Roelant Oltmans commenced on March 22 and will conclude on April 7.

The team is also preparing for the all important Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final in Belgium. If India finish among the top three in Belgium, they will qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

India will play their first match against China on April 11.