<p> Having outclassed Canada in the opener, the Indian women’s hockey team led by Ritu Rani will be facing a sterner test when they meet a formidable New Zealand side in another group league clash here on Sunday.<br /><br />Jaspreet Kaur was the star of the last match with two goals and the 13th-ranked team would expect that forward Ritusha Arya comes out firing on all cylinders against the ‘Black Sticks’.<br /><br />New Zealand’s Anita Punt will be the player that India have to watch out for but skipper Ritu is confident that her girls will keep her under control.<br /><br />“Victory in the very first match of the tournament has given a new dimension to the hopes and aspirations of the players. The team is in good shape and will perform its best in all aspects of the match,” mid-fielder and captain Ritu said.</p>.<p><br />“The vigorous training we went through will help us to carry out well in the game and we will try not to concede goals and win by a better margin in the forthcoming match.<br />“We are high on confidence but we cannot take the opponents lightly and hence we are focused and looking forward to add to the winning tally yet again.”<br /><br />Chief Coach Neil Hawgood is confident of his team giving a hard time to the opponents.<br />“The team is in good form and their efforts are visible on the field. The girls are excited and will try to maintain the winning momentum in the event.”<br /><br />“We have worked on our penalty corner conversions during our practice sessions. The match against New Zealand will be a battle of wits and our team will be raring to prove their point yet again.”<br /><br />New Zealand eves stand fourth in the recent FIH World Rankings. India last met New Zealand in the 2006 Commonwealth Games where India overcame New Zealand 1-0.<br />During the 2002 Commonwealth Games, India lost to New Zealand 1-3 in the preliminary round while they exacted their revenge in the semi-finals with 2-1 win en route their gold winning performance. <br /><br />On Saturday, defending men’s champions Australia gaves Wales an education on hockey as they coasted to a crushing 7-1 victory.<br /></p>
<p> Having outclassed Canada in the opener, the Indian women’s hockey team led by Ritu Rani will be facing a sterner test when they meet a formidable New Zealand side in another group league clash here on Sunday.<br /><br />Jaspreet Kaur was the star of the last match with two goals and the 13th-ranked team would expect that forward Ritusha Arya comes out firing on all cylinders against the ‘Black Sticks’.<br /><br />New Zealand’s Anita Punt will be the player that India have to watch out for but skipper Ritu is confident that her girls will keep her under control.<br /><br />“Victory in the very first match of the tournament has given a new dimension to the hopes and aspirations of the players. The team is in good shape and will perform its best in all aspects of the match,” mid-fielder and captain Ritu said.</p>.<p><br />“The vigorous training we went through will help us to carry out well in the game and we will try not to concede goals and win by a better margin in the forthcoming match.<br />“We are high on confidence but we cannot take the opponents lightly and hence we are focused and looking forward to add to the winning tally yet again.”<br /><br />Chief Coach Neil Hawgood is confident of his team giving a hard time to the opponents.<br />“The team is in good form and their efforts are visible on the field. The girls are excited and will try to maintain the winning momentum in the event.”<br /><br />“We have worked on our penalty corner conversions during our practice sessions. The match against New Zealand will be a battle of wits and our team will be raring to prove their point yet again.”<br /><br />New Zealand eves stand fourth in the recent FIH World Rankings. India last met New Zealand in the 2006 Commonwealth Games where India overcame New Zealand 1-0.<br />During the 2002 Commonwealth Games, India lost to New Zealand 1-3 in the preliminary round while they exacted their revenge in the semi-finals with 2-1 win en route their gold winning performance. <br /><br />On Saturday, defending men’s champions Australia gaves Wales an education on hockey as they coasted to a crushing 7-1 victory.<br /></p>