The Indian women’s hockey team, which got its campaign back on track by winning the second match after losing the first match, will try to make it to the semi-finals of the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier by registering a big win over the low-ranked Italian team here on Tuesday. India, ranked sixth in the world ranking, did not have a good start in the tournament and had to face a 0-1 defeat against 12th ranked America in its first match of Pool-B. However, the Savita Punia-led Indian team kept its hopes of making it to the Paris Olympics alive by defeating New Zealand 3-1 in its second match. After failing to qualify through the Asian Games, this is the last chance for the Indian team to make a place in the Olympic Games to be held this year.
Must win the match by a big margin
The top three teams in this tournament will qualify for the Olympics. America is on top in Pool B after winning two matches. India and New Zealand have three points each. However, the Indian team is behind New Zealand in goal difference. To reach the last-4, India will have to win by a big margin.
Converting penalties into goals is still a problem
On Sunday, the Indian team showed great coordination in the defence, middle line and front line against New Zealand. Coach Yanek Schopman will be hopeful that the team will perform similarly in the next match. India’s biggest problem is not being able to convert penalty corners into goals. He has taken 13 penalty corners in two matches so far, but has been able to score only once out of them.
Coach advised to be cautious
Indian coach Schopman, while instructing his players to be cautious of Italy, said that this match can be tough, because the Italian team also plays adventurous game like Argentina. We have to maintain patience. We have to convert penalty corners into goals at any cost. It is beneficial for India that it has to play its match after the match between America and New Zealand. This will make the picture clear to him as to how much margin he has to win.
today’s matches
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Germany vs Czech Republic: 12:00 noon
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Chile vs Japan: 02:30 PM
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USA vs New Zealand: 05:00 PM
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India vs Italy: 07:30 PM
Sumrai Tete gave the mantra of victory to the Indian team
The Indian women’s hockey team has to play a do-or-die match against Italy in the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier on Tuesday. If the Indian team defeats Italy, its hopes of reaching the semi-finals will increase. Former captain of the Indian team and Major Dhyanchand Award winning player Sumrai Tete has given the mantra of victory to the Indian players before the important match against Italy. Sumarai said, ‘The way the Indian team played against New Zealand, it will have to be maintained against Italy also. Indian players will have to play fast and aggressively. You will have to avoid playing wrong passes. If the girls make less mistakes, they will definitely be successful in defeating Italy. Italy’s team is also good, we should not make the mistake of taking it lightly. The Indian team will have to defeat Italy by a good margin. Sumrai further said, ‘The top two teams in the pool will qualify for the semi-finals. By the way, India’s match against Italy has become important. India will have to win this match at any cost.
Germany player Hana Karina injured during practice
German player Hana Karina, who came to play in the FIH Olympic Qualifier, got injured during practice. He has an injury on his right thigh. On Monday, his MRI was done at Advanced Diagnostic, Bariatu.