<p>Dogged by scandals and controversies, the team, led by Surinder Kaur, will however get a chance to redeem their reputation when they take on some of the best talent in the world at the 16th Asian Games.<br /><br />India, bronze medalists last time, open their campaign against Malaysia at the Aoti Hockey Centre on Saturday, and a win in the first match will certainly boost their confidence ahead of tougher contests.<br /><br />India lost out on a semifinal spot on goal difference at the Commonwealth Games and in the league format in place here, they can’t afford to relax even for a moment. China, champions in 2002 and 2006, are the favourites for the gold while South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Kazakhstan are the other teams in the seven-team event, with the top two teams meeting in the final.<br /><br />China, ranked fourth in the world, did not have a great World Cup as they slumped to eighth position. They had also lost to India 1-2 in the Asian Women’s Champions Trophy tournament earlier this year, where the Indians claimed the bronze medal.<br /><br />But at home, China are certain to come hard at their rivals while Japan, the runners-up last time, and South Korea, who have lost their prime position in the continent, will offer challenge to the hosts. <br /><br />In other matches on the opening day, Japan take on Kazakhstan and South Korea play Thailand.<br /></p>
<p>Dogged by scandals and controversies, the team, led by Surinder Kaur, will however get a chance to redeem their reputation when they take on some of the best talent in the world at the 16th Asian Games.<br /><br />India, bronze medalists last time, open their campaign against Malaysia at the Aoti Hockey Centre on Saturday, and a win in the first match will certainly boost their confidence ahead of tougher contests.<br /><br />India lost out on a semifinal spot on goal difference at the Commonwealth Games and in the league format in place here, they can’t afford to relax even for a moment. China, champions in 2002 and 2006, are the favourites for the gold while South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Kazakhstan are the other teams in the seven-team event, with the top two teams meeting in the final.<br /><br />China, ranked fourth in the world, did not have a great World Cup as they slumped to eighth position. They had also lost to India 1-2 in the Asian Women’s Champions Trophy tournament earlier this year, where the Indians claimed the bronze medal.<br /><br />But at home, China are certain to come hard at their rivals while Japan, the runners-up last time, and South Korea, who have lost their prime position in the continent, will offer challenge to the hosts. <br /><br />In other matches on the opening day, Japan take on Kazakhstan and South Korea play Thailand.<br /></p>
