FIH World Cup Qualifiers: India Through To Title Clash, Beat Italy 1-0 In Semi-Final

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 21:49 IST

The Indian women's hockey team reached the FIH World Cup Qualifiers 2026 Final in Hyderabad by defeating Italy 1-0. Manisha Chauhan scored the decisive goal. India face England.

The Indian women’s hockey team secured their place in the Final of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Hyderabad, Telangana, by defeating Italy 1-0 in their Semi-Final match at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground (Gachibowli Hockey Complex) on Friday.

Manisha Chauhan scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute, and India will now face England in the final.

How India Beat Italy?

The first quarter was tightly contested as both teams fought for possession in the midfield. India began strongly with a couple of circle entries, but Italy soon responded with aggressive attacks and created several good scoring opportunities.

India regained momentum in the second quarter, using their flanks to advance the ball and attack in numbers, making key circle entries. In the 18th minute, India earned their first penalty corner of the evening, but Navneet Kaur’s shot was blocked by Italian goalkeeper Lucia Ines Caruso. In the 27th minute, India was awarded another penalty corner and executed an interesting variation. The ball was played back to the injector, Captain Salima Tete, whose shot was stopped on the line by Italy’s last defender, preventing a goal. In the 29th minute, India had another chance to score through a penalty corner, but Navneet Kaur’s shot went off target.

Early in the second half, Italy made a strong attack as Emilia Munitis was through on goal, but India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam made a crucial save. In the 40th minute, India was awarded another penalty corner and successfully converted it to break the deadlock. Manisha Chauhan delivered a powerful drag flick down the middle, piercing the Italian defence and finding the net.

In the final quarter, India won two early penalty corners as they sought to extend their lead, but Italy’s defence remained resilient. In the closing minutes, Italy won a crucial penalty corner in the 59th minute, but India managed to prevent an equaliser and secured the victory.

India will face England in the final on 14th March at 7:30 PM IST.

News sports hockey FIH World Cup Qualifiers: India Through To Title Clash, Beat Italy 1-0 In Semi-Final

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