Ball in India’s court: Hosts looking to qualify for semis with win vs Italy

Ranchi, January 15

Their campaign back on track after a wobbly start, India would look for another spirited all-round performance to outwit lower-ranked Italy in their final pool match and progress to the semifinals of the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier here tomorrow.

The Indians, ranked sixth in the world, did not have the best of starts to the tournament as they lost to world No. 12 USA 0-1 in their opening Pool B match.

But the Savita Punia-led side bounced back strongly and produced a masterclass performance to beat New Zealand 3-1 in a must-win match on Sunday, which kept their Paris Olympics hopes alive.

Having missed the bus at the Asian Games, the ongoing tournament is India’s only chance to qualify for this year’s Olympics as the top three teams from here will book Paris tickets.

USA are atop Pool B with two wins, while India and New Zealand currently have three points each but the hosts are below the Black Sticks on goal difference.

And come tomorrow, the Indians would look for nothing less than a comprehensive win over world No. 20 Italy to progress to the next stage. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals scheduled for Thursday.

Despite India converting a penalty corner against New Zealand, the team still has plenty to work on that front. India have converted just one out of the 13 they earned in two matches.

Italy are out of the reckoning but would be looking to spoil India’s party.

Schopman, expectedly, is not taking the Italians lightly. “It’s going to be tough because they are feisty, they are Argentinian-spirited, Mediterranean-style. But if we move the ball, if we show patience, then our skills will come to shine,” Schopman said. “Penalty corners, we need to make sure we execute. We need to make sure that our strikers are in good positions inside the striking circle,” she added. — PTI

Olympics qualifiers: Race to semifinals

India will have the advantage of playing after the USA-New Zealand match, giving them a clear idea about the result needed against Italy to qualify for the semifinals.

Scenario 1: NZ beat USA: India will not only have to beat Italy but ensure that their goal difference is better than USA’s — to qualify for the semis — and NZ’s — to top the group. 

Scenario 2: USA beat NZ: India will qualify with even a draw but can only finish second behind USA.

Scenario 3: Draw between USA and NZ: India will qualify with a win and USA will top group. They can also qualify with a draw but the goal difference will come into play.

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