Hastings (New Zealand), April 9 (IANS): Indian women's hockey team forward player Rani said on Thursday that not losing possession of the ball in the semi-circle will be the key during the upcoming Hawke's Bay Cup to be held here from April 11 to 19.

India have been placed in Pool A with their first match against China on April 11, followed by games against United States (April 12) and Australia (April 14). All eight participating teams will then play the quarter-finals.

“While the aim is to give a good performance, the same will greatly depend on not losing possession of the ball in the semi-circle. Those few seconds will be the time when we have to ensure to not allow pressure take the better of us," said the experienced Rani.

"We have to be quick and not waste any time in our passes, in trying to get a penalty corner in our favour or even giving a shot at the goal. Each millisecond there will count.”

India had last met China at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games where they went down 1-2.