While the team, who left last night for the final qualifying tournament in Russia, are cautiously optimistic about their chances, several members of the 1980 squad give them more than a fair chance of making it to Beijing. Their only advice: offence is the best form of defence, so India should play to their strengths and go all out.

Sudha Chaudhary, the lone Delhi presence in the 1980 squad and the team’s manager in recent times, is well placed to gauge the potential of side. “We have a great forward line. For me, the trump-card is Surinder Kaur, who is back from injury and should be in great form,” she says.

Best chance

Chaudhary raises some concerns about the shaky Indian defence but says the attack more than makes up for it. “USA are the only tough opponents and if we play to even 80 per cent of our potential, we can beat them,” she says, adding that this is India’s best chance to qualify for the Olympics.

What will work for this team, some say, is that they have players who have experienced victory at major tournaments over the last few years.

Eliza Nelson, one of only two Padma Shri awardees in women’s hockey, says it is high time Indian women got their due. “I am hopeful of a real Chak De! India story, with the women doing what the men failed to do,” she says.

A part of the establishment until recently — she was a SAI observer and national selector — Nelson says this team has the ability to withstand pressure. “They know what is expected of them, and they have delivered before. Every time the men’s team faltered, the women bailed Indian hockey out. They have a very good chance of doing it again,’ she says.

Prem Maya, manager of the Railways team, agrees. A bulk of the national team comprises Railways players, and having been associated with the girls for a while, Maya believes they have potential. “All they have to do is believe in themselves. They can match anyone,” she says.