In a thrilling run through the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team is poised for a face-off against Germany in the Semi-Finals, following a resounding 5-1 victory over Italy in their last Pool B match. The stakes are high, as a victory in the Semi-Finals would secure India’s qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024.
Having initially stumbled with a 0-1 loss to the USA in the group stage opener, the Indian team showcased resilience, bouncing back with a crucial 3-1 win against New Zealand. The momentum continued into their final group match, where they convincingly defeated Italy 5-1. Riding on the wave of back-to-back victories, the team is entering the Semi-Finals with confidence, overcoming the setback of their initial defeat.
Captain Savita expressed the team’s self-assurance, stating, “We’ve already played Germany a few times and have done well. We’re confident in our abilities as a team and have the game to put up a solid performance. Our attacking game is quite good. Germany is a good team so we will have to be on top of our defense and try to convert any chances we get.”
Ranked sixth globally, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team faces the challenge of confronting fifth-ranked Germany. Despite Germany’s stature as the top-ranked team in the tournament and India’s historical head-to-head record, the team draws inspiration from their hard-fought victory over the Germans in the 2021-22 FIH Hockey Pro League held in Bhubaneswar in March 2022.
Chief Coach Janneke Schopman acknowledged the strength of the German squad but emphasized the resilience of the Indian team, stating, “Germany has a lot of good players but we have a quality side that has shown they can do well under pressure. We are one game away from a spot in the Olympics. We will treat the Semi-Finals like a Final and give it our all.”
The much-anticipated clash between India and Germany is scheduled for 18th January at 1930 hrs IST. Fans can catch the action live on Sports18/Jio Cinema, witnessing the unfolding drama as India vies for a coveted spot in the Paris Olympics.
The Sportz Planet Desk
