Running in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand FIH Women’s Hockey Olympic Qualifier 2024 in his first match of Indian women’s hockey team Had to face defeat from the United States. India lost this match by 0-1 goal. After this defeat, it has now become necessary for India to win both the group matches. Because out of four teams in a pool, only two will qualify for the semi-finals and after the final, the top three teams will qualify for the Paris Olympics. In the previous three matches, Germany defeated Chile, Japan defeated Czech Republic and New Zealand defeated Italy.
First match: Germany defeated Chile 3-0
Title contenders Germany gave a strong performance and made a great start to their campaign in the FIH Women’s Olympic Hockey Qualifier by defeating lower-ranked Chile 3-0 on Saturday. World number five team Germany registered an easy victory over world number 14 team Chile in the opening match of Pool B with the help of goals from Celine Oruz (7th minute), Jette Fleschutz (10th) and Lisa Nolte (38th). Germany got a penalty corner in the second minute itself but could not take advantage of it. However, Oruj soon converted the second penalty corner. Three minutes later, Fleischutz scored a field goal. Nolte ensured Germany’s victory by scoring a field goal in the 38th minute. Chile got three penalty corners, but could not convert them into goals.
Second match: Japan defeated Czech Republic 2-0
Former Asian Games champion Japan, after a lot of hard work, defeated the lower ranked Czech Republic 2-0. The Japan team, which won the Jakarta Asiad 2018, maintained control for most of the match but could score only two goals. Miyu Suzuki scored the first goal for Japan on the rebound from the second penalty corner in the fourth minute. After this, Shihori Oikawa scored the second goal in the 40th minute. Czech Republic goalkeeper Barbora Chechakova saved several goals. Japan got eight penalty corners in the match, but could score only two goals.
Third match: New Zealand defeated Italy 3-0
Frances Davis scored twice as New Zealand converted three penalty corners to beat Italy 3-0 in their opening Pool B match of the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier on Saturday. Apart from Davis (seventh, 51st minute), Stephanie Dickins (53rd minute) was also successful in scoring a goal for New Zealand. New Zealand played an aggressive game from the beginning of this match and put pressure on Italy’s defense line. New Zealand is expected to face a challenge from host India in its next match on Sunday. Which has lost to America in the first match.