Skipper Ritu Rani calls on Indian eves to `work harder` for Rio Olympics

New Delhi, Aug 29 : Indian women’s hockey team captain Ritu Rani has insisted that her side will have to ‘work harder’ in order to succeed at the Rio Olympics next year.

The Indian eves qualified for the Olympics for the first time since 1980, after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Euro Hockey Championships in London.

“We are very happy to have qualified for Olympics but we will have to work harder to excel,” said Ritu, who plays as a midfielder.

The 23-year-old added that they would try to improve their penalty corners conversion rates and bolster their defense.

Meanwhile, chief coach Mathias Ahrens said that his team did an incredible job, adding that girls have made themselves legendary after ending a 36-year Olympic wait.

The Indian women’s team now joins nine other teams, who have already qualified for 2016 Rio Games — Korea, Argentina, Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals. (ANI)