India women can fight past second round of Olympic qualifiers: Coach Maymol Rocky

Bhubaneswar (Odisha): Despite the early exit of India women’s team from the Hero Gold Cup, coach Maymol Rocky says the competition was an important learning experience that will stand in good stead for 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
India were bowled out of the tournament after a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Myanmar at the Kalinga Stadium, finishing third in the group with three points from three games.
“The team played well, I believe. We are still in a developmental process with the target being clearing the second round of the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
“Playing in the Hero Gold Cup against the likes of Myanmar, Nepal and Iran was really good for us and was a massive learning experience. Now, we know which areas of the game we lack in and what we need to work on,” she said.
The coach thanked All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Government of Odisha for organizing the four-team event.
“The AIFF and Government of Odisha have given us such a big platform to play. All the three matches were tough and of high-intensity. It was great preparation for the challenges ahead,” she said.