Danny kenny

Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro: David Passmore, the Irish head coach of the United States women's field hockey team, on Thursday, hailed his players for their determination and commitment to the sport as his team clinched its ticket to the Olympic Games after a gap of eight years.

Passmore was very emotional as his players erupted in joy after the final hooter signalled their come-from-behind 2-1 against Japan in the semifinals of the Women's FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro-Turf Hockey Stadium here.

The Americans have a centralised training system in the absence of a professional league for field hockey in the country. The players take time off their work and studies to train and play hockey on weekends. To get such a motley group to make it back to the Olympics is a great achievement both for the players and the coaching staff.