Captain Ritu expects women's hockey team to fire at CWG

Glasgow, July 22 (IANS) Going by the present form, Indian women's hockey team captain Ritu Rani seems very positive and assured of a striking show from her young teammates at the Commonwealth Games here July 24-Aug 2.

High on confidence, Ritu is anticipating victories and is looking forward to reaching the final of the tournament.

"I am very confident and at ease with the present form of my team members. Each player, irrespective of whether they are experienced or young, is high on confidence and determined to give their best," said the seasoned mifielder.

"A very interesting aspect that I see among the youngsters is their hunger to showcase their play and to prove themselves in the international arena. Be it Ritusha or Anupa in the forward line or Lilima and Navjot in midfield or Namita in the defence, each one has stood up to their responsibility and delivered with elan in the past and I see them yet again eager to deliver."

India will start their Pool A campaign against Canada July 24 before taking on New Zealand July 27, Trinidad and Tobago July 28 and South Africa July 30. The top two teams from both the groups will proceed to the semi-finals.

Indian women won the gold in 2002 Manchester and settled for the silver four years later at Melbourne. They failed to win a medal at home in 2010.