FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024: India women beat Italy to make semi-finals; take one step closer to Paris 2024

The Indian women’s hockey team beat Italy 5-1 in its third and final Pool B match of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Tuesday.

Udita (1’, 55’), Deepika (41’), Salima Tete (45’) and Navneet Kaur (53’) scored the goals for the Indian women’s team. Camila Machin (60')scored the goal for Italy.

Courtesy of the win, India finished second in their pool behind the USA and made the semi-finals of the competition. A top-three finish at the Ranchi meet will earn the Indian women’s team a berth to the Paris 2024 Olympics, which will be held in July-August this year.

The Indian hockey team suffered a shock defeat to the USA in their opening game but bounced back to defeat New Zealand and Italy, ranked 20th, to make the top four.

With New Zealand losing to the USA earlier in the day, world No. 6 India came into the Italy clash knowing a draw would be enough to take them through to the semis. The hosts also made a dream start, with Salima Tete, who was sensational against the Kiwis on Sunday, winning India a penalty corner in the very first minute.

Udita, playing her 100th international for India, stepped up and fired a powerful drag flick past Italian goalkeeper Augustina D’ascola. Despite taking the early lead, India were perhaps a little wasteful in the final third in the first quarter and Italy almost capitalised in the closing stages.

Moras Guadalupe had a good opportunity to score but Savita Punia blocked the Italian player’s attempt.

India pressed Italy high in search of a second goal in the second quarter but the visitors managed to absorb the pressure. However, Italy offered very little going forward as the first half ended with India holding a 1-0 lead.

Led by Salima Tete, India came out all guns blazing in the third quarter and were awarded with a penalty stroke after Sofia Laurito brought down Lalremsiami from behind. Deepika converted the set piece opportunity to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

Salima, deservedly, got on the scoresheet in the final seconds of the third quarter to make it 3-0.

With Italy pushing bodies forward in search of a goal, Navneet Kaur took the opportunity to score India’s fourth of the night in the 53rd minute and put the game to bed. Udita scored her second of the night from another penalty corner to cap off a commanding win. Italy did manage to find a consolation goal through Camila Machin with the final play of the contest.

India will play Pool A winners and world No. 5 Germany in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 semi-final on Thursday.

Even if India lose against the Germans, they will have a second opportunity to book a place to Paris 2024 in the bronze medal match.