Antwerp, June 15 (IANS): Indian women's hockey team chief coach Mathias Ahrens said that his forwards are preparing well and have a strong attack to take on other teams in the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final, to be played here from June 20 to July 5.

"The teams will be evenly placed and all will depend on the initial pressure. On that front we have a strong attack and I am confident of a good start," said Ahrens on Monday.

"The girls realise that continuing ball possession in the opponents D is important and the team is working on short passes and their reaction time once in the D as time will be the key. They have to enter, finish the job in a matter of seconds."

India have been grouped in Pool B with hosts Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Poland. They will open their campaign against Belgium on June 20.

"Our first match is against the host team Belgium. They will have just one advantage over us, that will be playing in front of their home crowd," said the German.