The India women’s national field hockey team secured qualification for the 2026 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup.
After defeating Italy women’s national field hockey team 1–0 in the semi-final of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad on Friday.
The match, played at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Stadium, was decided by a second-half goal from Manisha Chauhan, whose 40th-minute strike proved enough to send India into the final. With the win, India also confirmed their place at the upcoming World Cup.
The opening quarter saw both sides locked in a tight battle for midfield control. India made a few promising entries into the attacking circle early on, but Italy gradually settled and created a couple of threatening chances.
India stepped up the pressure in the second quarter, using the flanks effectively to push forward. The hosts earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, but Navneet Kaur’s attempt was saved by Italian goalkeeper Lucia Ines Caruso. Another penalty corner followed in the 27th minute, where India attempted a variation that saw the ball played back to injector Salima Tete, but her shot was cleared off the line by the Italian defence. India had another opportunity from a penalty corner shortly afterwards, though Navneet’s effort went wide.
Italy threatened early in the second half when Emilia Munitis broke through on goal, but Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam rushed out to make an important save.
India eventually broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after winning another penalty corner. Manisha Chauhan stepped up and fired a powerful drag-flick straight down the middle, beating the defence and finding the back of the net.
The hosts continued to press in the final quarter and earned two early penalty corners while searching for a second goal, but Italy’s defence held firm. The visitors pushed hard in the closing stages and earned a penalty corner in the 59th minute, but India held their composure to deny an equaliser and seal the narrow victory.
India will now face the England women’s national field hockey team in the final on March 14 at 7:30 PM IST.
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