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The England women’s hockey team has arrived in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, ahead of their matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 India leg. The team landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport on Sunday as they prepare to face hosts India and the world’s top-ranked team, the Netherlands.

 

The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 15 to 25 in Bhubaneswar.

 

England, currently ranked seventh in the world, has had a difficult start to their campaign, with one win and three losses so far. The team will be looking to improve their performance in India, despite the tough competition they will face.

 

With the Indian team eager to perform in front of their home crowd and the Netherlands known for their dominance, England’s matches are expected to be challenging.

 

Forward Darcy Bourne expressed her enthusiasm upon arriving in India, stating that she was excited to play in the country, especially after witnessing the energy surrounding the recently concluded Hockey India League.

 

She noted that this was her first time in India and described the atmosphere as unlike anything she had ever experienced.

 

England head coach David Ralph also shared his thoughts on the upcoming matches, saying that while the games will be tough, the opportunity to play in front of an Indian crowd is one of the best experiences in hockey.

 

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic about his team’s ability to put up a strong fight.

 

Despite their struggles at the World Cup in recent years, England remains a formidable force in international hockey. They are the current Commonwealth Games champions, having won the gold medal in 2022.

 

With a squad that includes experienced players, England is considered one of the teams to watch out for in the tournament.

 

Meanwhile, China currently leads the points table with 13 points from seven matches. They are followed by the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, and Argentina, who complete the top five rankings.

 

The Indian women’s hockey team will kick off their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 campaign against England on February 15.