FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2024: Indian Women’s Team thrash Italy to qualify for the semi-finals
The Indian women’s team produced a dominating performance as they thrashed Italy in the final Pool B game played at Ranchi on 16th January 2024.
It was an ideal start for the Indian team as Udita converted a slap shot from the penalty corner in the 1st minute itself to give the host a 1-0 lead. They kept the pressure on the Italian defense but were unable to score goals.
Lalremsaimi was awarded a green card and sent out for 2 minutes. Italy earned a
penalty corner, but counterattack shot yielded nothing. At the end of the first
quarter, India led 1-0.
The second quarter began with the Indian team showing their
possession but unable to convert it into a goal. Ivanna Passona was awarded a
green card which meant Italy was a member short. The Indian team put enough
pressure on the Italian defense but could not convert into goals. At the end of the first half, the scores remained 1-0. The first half saw India having 7 circle penetrations
as compared to 3 by Italy.
Indian team began the third quarter on a positive note with a penalty corner but did not yield anything. The hosts were awarded a penalty
stroke as Deepika converted in the 41st minute to give a 2-0 lead. It
was an attacking play by the Indian team as Salima Tete hit a brilliant shot from an acute angle in the 45th minute giving the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead and
ending the quarter on a brilliant note.
It was a superb start for the Indian team in the fourth as
they kept pressure on the Italy team. Dungdong was awarded 2 minutes penalty. Navneet
put the goal from a great pass in the 53rd minute to make it 4-0 in favor
of India. Udita converted from a penalty corner in the 56th minute to increase
the lead to 5-0. Italy converted a penalty corner after the hooter went by Machin
scoring their first goal in the tournament.
Indian team registered their 2nd successive win
and progressed into the semi-finals of the tournament. They would play Germany
on the 18th with the winner qualifying for Paris Olympics 2024.
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