New Delhi: When Indian women’s team takes the field against Azerbaijan on Sunday for a four match Test-series as a build-up to their Olympic qualifiers, expectations will be high from the Ashunta Lakra-led team who had thrashed their opponents twice in the last year’s Champions Challenge tournament. 

Ranking-wise too India (13) are two rungs above Azerbaijan. However India coach CR Kumar didn’t want to give too much consideration to the ranking.

“Ranking doesn’t matter, what matter is how we play the game, Azerbaijan is good side, we can’t take them lightly,” he said.

“We have tried to improve our game, and up to certain extent we have succeeded. Last win against Azerbaijan will only help the team to gain confidence.”

The team has no injury problems. There are no injuries to any players till now so this is one big advantage for team India,” Kumar said.

Indian team is currently in great form, including the youngsters who have displayed fine performance in the warm up matches.

Captain Ashunta praised the team’s performance in the warm matches. “The coordination part has improved. If you see the past records of the team, we have played some good hockey against Australia and Argentina,” she said.

The opponent Azerbaijan team is also wary about India’s form. “India is a strong competitor; they have defeated us in the champion challenge,” Rashad Alizada, manager of Azerbaijan hockey team, said.

“In the last tournament, despite giving a tough fight, India took the game away but our players will still try to put up a great performance in all the matches.”

Meanwhile, the men’s team will play a five test series against South Africa starting on Monday.