Women’s WC Qualifiers: India pips Italy, advances to the final

India pips Italy, advances to the final

Hyderabad, Telangana, 13/03/2026: India Players (White) and Italy (Blue) in action at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifiers at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad on Friday, March 13, 2026. Photo: NAGARA GOPAL / The Hindu | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

After labouring for large stretches of the contest, India managed to eke out a 1-0 win against Italy in the semifinals of the FIH Women’s World Cup Qualifiers at the G.M.C Balayogi Hockey Ground here on Friday.

Head coach Sjoerd Marijne’s pre-match call for the players to bring out their best seemed to go unheeded early on as India struggled to construct fluid attacks in the opening two quarters.

India enjoyed more of the ball after a cagey start but rarely troubled Italian goalkeeper Lucia Caruso. It was Italy that produced the first real chance when Lola Brea drove into the circle and unleashed a reverse hit which Bichu Devi Kharibam saved with her pads.

The visiting team continued to threaten despite having less possession. Guadalupe Moras nearly found space in the circle before Manisha Chauhan made a crucial last-ditch block, while Brea pounced on Udita’s miscued overhead clearance but fired into the side netting from a tight angle.

India showed greater urgency at the start of the second quarter. Navneet Kaur, the team’s leading scorer (four goals) in the tournament, won the home side’s first penalty corner, with Caruso reacting sharply to deny her low effort following Sushila Chanu’s fumble while trapping.