Schopman feels confident ahead of FIH Pro League clash against Spain

Indian midfielder Monika Malik also shared her thoughts ahead of the match.

The FIH Pro League season 2021-2022 is underway and teams are doing their best to register victories. The tournament that started on 13th October 2021 is at the midway point. A total of nine teams are battling for the crown. The Netherlands are currently sitting pretty at the top with 11 points. India are in the second position with six points and Argentina are third also with six points, but with a inferior goal-difference.

India were originally scheduled to play the Netherlands on 19th and 20th February, however, the matches have been postponed. The Netherlands' medical board has officially cited that it would be unsafe for the Dutch team to travel to India under the current circumstances (COVID-19 pandemic) for the FIH Pro League. As a result, India's next opponents will now be Spain. India will take on their Spanish opponents on the 26th and 27th of February.

Spain are currently in the fifth position and have one point to their name. So, obviously there is a difference in the level of competition. Even then Spanish hockey team are no less of a threat. Indian coach Janneke Schopman and player Monika Malik shared the same thoughts ahead of the matches in the FIH Pro League.

Spain as new opponents

India will have to shift their focus on their new opponents Spain instead of the Netherlands now. Speaking on the issue, former Dutch player and current Indian women's head coach Schopman remarked, "It's just changing gears if you would like. Instead of looking at the Netherlands, you look at Spain. You know Spain is a good team as well. In the Olympics, they lost on shootouts against Great Britain. But, in my opinion, they were the better team."

She added, "So, I think Spain is a very skillful team that like to move the ball well and create attacking opportunities. Spain is a good team, so now we are preparing for them."

On Gurjit Kaur's good form

Gurjit Kaur is currently the joint-top scorer at the FIH Pro League. She has scored three goals, along with Argentina's Agustina Gorzelany and Belgium's Stephanie Vanden Borre. Schopman said, "Gurjit Kaur is one of our finest players, of course. Her main threat is the penalty-corner drag-flick. We know that."

"She is a weapon when she is on the field. I am quite happy with how she is learning and growing as a player. She has a lot of room for growth and has the potential of becoming a world-class defender."

Experienced campaigner Monika Malik has represented India in over 166 matches. The Railways defender has a lot of experience under her belt. She has also been part of some memorable moments in her playing career, starting from the silver medal at the Asian Games to gold medals at the Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy. When asked about one of her most defining moments as a player Monika found it difficult to single out just one.

"Many, I can say many like 2014, 2015, 2016. Every year I have a great moment or so. But yes, if I have to pick one it will definitely be the last Olympics. We were in the best four, that is the biggest achievement for us, our team and India as well," concluded the defender from Haryana.

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