The Indian Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams are preparing to compete in the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023, set to take place from December 15 to December 22. In addition to India, the other participating teams are Spain, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and France.
The tournament will commence with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team facing the host, Spain, on December 15, followed by matches against Belgium on December 16, Germany on December 19, and Ireland on December 21. Meanwhile, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team is scheduled to compete against Spain on December 15, followed by matches against Belgium on December 16, Germany on December 19, and France on December 20.
Expressing their anticipation for the tournament, Captain Savita of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team stated, “It has been three days since we arrived in Valencia, and with our acclimation complete, we are now ready to commence the tournament against Spain. We will be competing against some of the world’s best-ranked teams and will utilize this opportunity to address our weaknesses in preparation for the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier Ranchi 2024. We will give our all in every game as it is the perfect platform to refine our performance.”
Similarly, Captain Harmanpreet Singh of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team conveyed their team’s confidence, stating, “Several top hockey teams have assembled in Valencia, all seeking to enhance their game, and we are no different. We will approach every match with utmost importance and strive to emerge victorious in the tournament. The team is eager to return to the hockey field and bring pride to the country.”
The match line-up for December 15 includes the Women’s match between Spain and India at 15:30 hrs, followed by the Men’s match between Spain and India at 17:45 hrs. (ANI)