India Women's Hockey Team Gains Confidence Ahead of Asian Games 2026

Strong Performance at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026

Sjoerd Marijne, the head coach of the Indian women's hockey team, expressed that the squad's remarkable showings at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, particularly their challenging draw against China's silver medalists from the Paris Olympics, have instilled a sense of confidence as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Games. These games are set to occur in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Historic Fifth-Place Achievement at the World Cup

The Indian women's hockey team achieved a historic fifth-place finish at the World Cup, marking their best result since they secured fourth place in the inaugural tournament in 1974. The team, led by Salima Tete, clinched this milestone with a 3-1 victory over Germany, ranked fifth in the world, during the classification match for fifth and sixth places held in Amstelveen. Additionally, they managed to draw their opening match against China with a score of 2-2.

Building Confidence from World Cup Experiences

In reflecting on the draw against China, a strong contender for the Asian Games 2026 title, Coach Marijne noted that the team has thoroughly analyzed their performance while drawing confidence from their overall showing. He emphasized that the most significant takeaway from the World Cup was the self-belief the players developed by competing against elite teams.

"We reviewed our match against China and executed many aspects well. They performed admirably in the third quarter, which we need to examine further. However, the entire World Cup experience, not just the match against China, has significantly boosted our confidence," Marijne stated in a video shared by Hockey India on X.

"I can repeatedly tell the girls that they are capable and that we are a strong team, but they must experience it themselves. Playing in such matches, especially against a team like China, certainly enhances their confidence," he added.

Hockey India Rewards Team for Their Achievement

In recognition of their remarkable fifth-place finish, Hockey India has announced a cash reward of ₹50 lakh for the Indian Women's Hockey Team.