Why Asian gold is within reach for India's women hockey team
· Yahoo Sports
With the Asian Games in Japan beginning on Saturday, expectations are high for India's women hockey players to challenge for a medal - perhaps even gold.
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The optimism has been building since August, when India produced a remarkable turnaround at the Hockey World Cup.
In a heart-stopping moment, goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam dived full stretch to deny England a near-certain goal and victory. India, led by captain Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, went on to finish fifth - their best World Cup result since finishing fourth in 1974.
The turnaround is striking. After two difficult years, India's women suddenly look like a team capable of competing with the best.
So, what has changed?
Former India captain Pritam Siwach credits the turnaround to a more disciplined defence and solid goalkeeping. India held China, England and Australia to draws, scoring fewer goals but also conceding very few.
"It's like saying: we may not set your house on fire, but we won't let you set ours on fire either," she said.
Experts have pointed to a striking increase in cohesion and team spirit in recent months, crediting chief coach Marijne with much of the turnaround.
A former Dutch international, Marijne knows the Indian women's hockey team well, having coached them during their historic Tokyo Olympics run in 2021 when they finished fourth.
But performances declined after his departure. He was brought back to lead the team again in January 2026.
Members of the team warming up before a practice session in Bengaluru city [AFP]The Asian Games squad now blends experienced campaigners with younger players from diverse backgrounds and age groups.
Captain Salima Tete, 24, grew up in Barkichapar, a small tribal village in Jharkhand, learning hockey with bamboo sticks her father made. Her ability to switch swiftly between defence and attack makes her a key player.
Many others in the squad come from modest backgrounds.
Midfielder Neha Goyal told the BBC that she took up hockey in Haryana to get something as basic as "a decent pair of shoes and clothes". She says her alcoholic father died in 2017, leaving the family to face financial struggles. Even after Goyal turned professional, her mother worked in factories for years to make ends meet.
The squad also spans generations - from 36-year-old midfielder Savita to 18-year-old Sakshi Rana. Then there is 26-year-old Lalremsiami - she adds both experience and energy.
Coach Marijne has also been willing to drop established names and give opportunities to players such as Shilpi Dabas, who had spent years on the fringes of the national set-up.
Another significant change has been the team's physical fitness, with specialist support staff playing an important role.
"The addition of specialists such as a performance scientist has improved the players' conditioning while making the process enjoyable. Credit also goes to the players, who have given their 100%," said Bodhisattva Dass, former assistant physiotherapist with Hockey India.
Marijne's focus on building trust also extended beyond on-field tactics.
At the World Cup, players wore yellow and red unity bands on their wrists as a reminder of their shared identity as a team. During training, senior players were blindfolded and guided around the field by juniors - an exercise designed to build trust and strengthen their bond.
After the World Cup, Marijne told The Indian Express that Hockey India's brief was simple: "Create unity, and show the outside world that they are enjoying themselves and that they are a team."
That emphasis on communication appears to have paid off.
"Younger players never hesitate to approach the seniors, who are always ready to guide and support them," captain Salima Tete told Hockey India.
Experts have commended the team for its growing camaraderie on the field [AFP via Getty Images]The India women team now have the eighth place in world rankings after securing the fifth spot at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. After two wins, three draws and a defeat - it marks progress, but the challenges remain.
Before winning the Women's Nations Cup in June, India had endured a difficult spell.
They failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and were relegated from the FIH Pro League in 2025-26. Coach Harendra Singh's unexpected resignation in December added to the uncertainty.
Their World Cup attack also remained a concern. India scored just 11 goals, failed to score against England, the Netherlands and Australia, and netted six against South Africa alone.
Siwach believes attacking remains an area for improvement.
"The team needs to convert more chances and score more goals," she said.
Journalist Norris Pritam agrees, pointing to poor penalty-corner conversion and the need for a more attacking style to ease pressure on the defence.
In the upcoming Asian Games, China, Japan and South Korea are likely to be among their toughest rivals.
Several players, including Navneet Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu and Lalremsiami, return with Asian Games experience after India's bronze-medal finish in 2023.
Japan holds mixed memories for Lalremsiami. The Mizoram-based forward was playing in Hiroshima in 2019 when she learnt that her farmer father had died. Instead of returning home, she chose to stay with the team and helped India secure an Olympic qualifying place.
Another Olympic place is at stake now. Gold at the Asian Games would earn India direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
"The new coach has instilled confidence and camaraderie. They are playing as a well-knit unit. China will be the biggest rival, but if India stays focused, they can overcome the challenge," says Pritam.