Players of Team Netherlands at a practice session in the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 29: Indian hockey team players are optimistic about an impressive performance at the Champions Trophy that is to be held at Kalinga Stadium between December 6 and 14.

Defender Birendra Lakra, the only Odia player in the 18-member national squad, said the team would perform to its ability.

“We have a good team, and everyone is optimistic about making it to the finals. We have a balanced team with good defenders and forwards as well,” said Lakra.

Lakra will be the first player from the state to play an international hockey match in Odisha.

Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, who had played in the Hockey India League (HIL) for home franchise Kalinga Lancers last year, said the crowd in the city was very much supportive.

“During the last year’s HIL in this stadium, we had got a huge support from the spectators, and this time, too, we hope for a better performance in the tournament,” said Upadhyay.

The pink-and-blue synthetic turf had hosted five matches of the Kalinga Lancers last year.

Despite the team winning only two out of its five matches here, thousands of spectators had thronged the stadium in every match to cheer for the Lancers.

An official of the state sports department said the Australian team would reach the city tomorrow.

Team India and the Netherlands have already reached the city. Besides, teams from Belgium and Argentina will also be here by tomorrow.

According to the schedule, practice matches will start from December 1.

Team India would play against the Netherlands in their first practice match on that day. India will start its campaign on December 6 when it will take on Germany under the floodlights.

Team India will play its next two games against Argentina and the Netherlands on December 7 and 9, respectively.

Preparation for the tournament has entered into the final stage with the authorities giving a final touch to the newly built practice turf.

“The floodlight system for the practice turf has been tested successfully. We are optimistic that the first-ever international tournament to be hosted in the city will be a grand success,” said state sports secretary Saswat Mishra.