Olympic Qualifiers: Indian Women's Hockey Team Misses Paris Ticket

The Indian Women’s Hockey team experienced a heartbreaking defeat in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers match on Friday in Ranchi. After a stressful match against the victorious Japan team, India faltered with a 1-0 score. This was the Sunita Punia-led team's second chance to secure a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics as they had lost 4-3 to Germany on Thursday. Japan had lost against the United States of America with a 2-1 score earlier that day. The Germany and USA finals match later on Friday ended with the European team's smooth victory (2-0). 

Only the top three teams from the eight-nation tournament secured a ticket to Paris for the upcoming Olympics 2024. They are Germany, who consistently stood at the top of the table throughout this tournament, the USA, and Japan.

How The India Vs Japan Match Played Out

The atmosphere at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh stadium was intense on Friday, as India faced its final chance to book their berth in the coveted Olympics. The nail-biting match began with Japan's Kana Urata securing a point in the sixth minute from the penalty corner in the first quarter of the game. The rest of the quarters were goalless for either team, leading to Japan's win with 1-0.

Japan were eager to exert pressure right from the start. The Indian team offered an equally tough performance, especially from Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari, Monika, and captain Savita Punia. The team acquired nine penalty corners but unfortunately failed to utilise them in securing a win.

Semi-finals: India Vs Germany

In Thursday's semi-final match, India took the lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks to Deepika, who secured a goal just before the buzzer went off. (1-0, India in the lead). In the second quarter, Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst managed to equalise the score with a magnificent goal. (1-1)

The third quarter was goalless but Germany led at the beginning of the fourth. (2-1, Germany in the lead) However, India’s Ishika scored an equaliser for India in the breathtaking final few minutes of the fourth quarter. (2-2)

As the 60 minutes were up, the penalty shootout began and India’s Sangita was able to secure a goal in the first round, with goalkeeper Savita Punia providing a brilliant save against the German player. (1-0, with India leading)

India’s Sonika scored a goal in the second round, and so did Germany. (2-1, India leading). The third penalty shootout round was goalless. In the fourth round, India failed to score and Germany achieved a point. (2-2)

At the end of the fifth attempt, Germany secured a point and India's Lalremsiami scored a goal. The penalty shootout ended with 3-3, calling for the sudden death round, where Germany clinched victory.

India's Rollercoaster Journey In Olympic Qualifiers

The Indian women's hockey team displayed an unpredictable expedition throughout the Olympic qualifiers. India earlier faced a defeat against the United States of America but soon resurrected hope with their consecutive wins against New Zealand and Italy. By defeating Italy, India was able to face Germany, the top team this year, but failed to make it to the finals.

The Indian team then lost in a do-or-die match to Japan on Friday. The team reflected a confident attitude in the qualifiers, recalling their performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they finished fourth, as well as climbing to World No. 6 in November 2023 following their Asian Champions win. However, fate was not in the Indian women's hockey team's favour for this year's Olympics.