India Aims for Victory Against Italy in FIH Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifiers
India's Quest for the Winners' Trophy
Having already secured a spot in the World Cup, India is set to pursue the winners' trophy at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup Qualifiers. The team will face Italy in the semi-final on Friday, aiming to take a significant step towards that goal.
The Indian women's hockey squad topped Pool B, amassing seven points from three matches. Although Scotland also finished with seven points, they were placed second due to India's superior goal difference.
The hosts achieved two victories and one draw during the pool stage.
Italy, on the other hand, ended up second in Pool A with four points, having one win, one draw, and one loss, which gives India a slight psychological advantage going into the semi-final.
India will look to capitalize on the outstanding performance of forward Navneet Kaur, who is currently tied as the tournament's top scorer with four goals. She notably scored a hat-trick in the final pool match against Wales, showcasing her skills.
Italy will depend on Federica Carta, their main attacking player, who has netted three goals in the tournament so far.
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Historically, India has a favorable record against Italy, having faced them seven times since 2012. India has emerged victorious in five of those encounters, while Italy has won once, and one match ended in a draw, providing India with a psychological edge.
Sjoerd Marijne, India's head coach, who returned after the Tokyo Olympics, described this achievement as a significant milestone.
"Qualifying for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026 is a crucial milestone for this team, and the players deserve immense credit for their performance in the tournament so far," he stated.
"They have displayed excellent discipline, composure, and attacking intent throughout the pool stage.
"Our mindset is clear—we are not just here to qualify. We aim to improve with every match and strive to win the tournament. The semi-final presents another significant challenge, and we will approach it with complete focus and intensity."
However, Marijne warned his team not to underestimate Italy.
"Italy is a competitive team and has shown they can challenge strong opponents in this tournament. Our focus will be on executing our plans effectively, maintaining our structure, and continuing to play with the same energy and confidence," he added.
The FIH Women’s World Cup is set to take place alongside the men's competition, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.