Indian women''s hockey team leaves for Germany for final phase of WC preparation

Bengaluru: The Indian women's hockey team departed for Frankfurt, Germany, on Wednesday, where it will undergo the final phase of its preparations for next month's FIH World Cup, to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.

The team travelled from Bengaluru to Mumbai before boarding its onward flight to Frankfurt.

The Indian team will play two practice matches against Germany on July 31 and August 1 apart from its training camp to fine-tune combinations and adapt to the European conditions.


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The team will depart for Amsterdam on August 2 to continue its World Cup preparations in the Netherlands.

India will begin its campaign against China on August 16, followed by matches against South Africa and England in Pool D.

India captain Salima Tete is confident about the team's good showing in the quadrennial showpiece to be held from August 15 to 30.

"The entire squad is looking forward to the challenge ahead. We've had a good training block, and now it's about carrying that momentum into the practice matches and then the World Cup," Tete said before the team's departure.

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"Facing China in our opening game will be an important test, and we want to start the tournament on a positive note. As a team, we are determined to give our best and make the country proud."