We want to qualify for LA28... that’s our dream: Navneet, Lalremsiami, Savita and Salima

The fifth-place finish at the 2026 women’s FIH Hockey World Cup — the best performance ever by an Indian team — deserves praise.

For the players, however, there is no time to celebrate and rest on their laurels, with the Asian Games right around the corner. Onwards and upwards is the theme in the squad, which departed for Japan after completing a training camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus here.

For forward Navneet Kaur, defender Lalremsiami Hmarzote, goalkeeper Savita Punia and skipper Salima Tete, the goal is clear: to win a first gold at the continental event since 1982.

The players were in an upbeat mood during a media interaction arranged by SAI here. Excerpts: