The ball was nonetheless mid-flight when Salima Tete took off.
The ahead, who has taken it upon herself to make sure India don’t miss the Olympic bus, obtained a cross contained in the ‘D’ on the correct with seconds remaining within the third quarter. She appeared as much as see the place the goalkeeper was and, from an acute angle, unleashed a ferocious hit.
Because the ball flew into the far nook, Salima dashed in the direction of the opposite aspect, within the path of Udita Duhan. Within the centre of the pitch, the 2 gamers who’ve circled India’s faltering marketing campaign embraced one another. Quickly, they have been swarmed by the remainder of the teammates.
Salima’s objective got here at a time when Italy nonetheless had some combat left in them. Unfazed by the two-goal deficit, the Europeans continued to dart ahead, check the Indian defence and win penalty corners. However Salima’s strike – India’s third objective of the night – snuffed out any hopes of an Italian comeback.
India added two extra targets within the remaining quarter to file a cushty 5-1 win and qualify for the semifinals of the Olympic Qualifiers, guaranteeing they firmly stay in rivalry for a Paris Video games berth.
However it wasn’t earlier than they bought a serving to hand from the identical crew that gave them sleepless nights – the USA.
The People, who defeated India on the opening evening leaving the hosts in a spot of trouble, maintained their 100% file with a 1-0 win over New Zealand. That meant the US surpassed all expectations and topped Pool B. Crucially, from India’s perspective, it simplified their job: to remain within the hunt for the Olympic berth, they merely wanted to keep away from defeat in opposition to the lowest-ranked crew of the match, Italy.
And so they did. When it was wanted probably the most, India got here up with a near-flawless efficiency to beat the world quantity 20 aspect. When the ultimate hooter sounded, it sparked scenes of jubilation at a packed Jaipal Singh Stadium in Ranchi; relieved, too, that the hosts had recovered from a wobbly begin.
Ranchi: Indian gamers acknowledge followers after successful FIH Girls’s Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024 hockey match in opposition to Italy at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, in Ranchi, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (PTI Picture/Swapan Mahapatra)
However it’s additionally a job half achieved. The win ensured India made it to the second a part of the match the place the stakes will rise. India, ranked sixth, play fifth-placed Germany in a troublesome semifinal on Thursday.
A win will seal a third-straight Olympic berth for a crew that hadn’t made it to the Video games for greater than three a long time till they launched into this high quality run. A defeat, nevertheless, would imply one other nervy playoff battle.
That’s a fear for an additional day, although. On Tuesday, India coach Janneke Schopman flashed a giant, vast smile for the primary time on this match. The Dutchwoman couldn’t bear to look at the previous recreation between the USA and New Zealand on which India’s destiny was partially dependent.
The US had taken an early lead however New Zealand mounted relentless strain, throwing the whole lot that they had at them. As was the case in opposition to India, although, primary errors value New Zealand pricey because the US held on for a win, which meant India solely wanted to get a degree in opposition to Italy to complete second and qualify for the final 4.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 16, 2024
No beginning hassle
India, although, did properly to not fall into the entice of enjoying for a draw. Like they did on Sunday in opposition to New Zealand, they went from 0 to 100 inside seconds. As soon as once more, the identical three gamers who’d torn aside the Kiwis the opposite evening mixed to torment the Italians.
Inside the primary 30 seconds, Sangita Kumari fired the primary shot of the match and bought the goalkeeper to work. Barely 10 seconds later, Salima bought the ball and located a defender’s foot to win a penalty nook. And Udita – enjoying her a hundredth worldwide match – scored from a trademark slap-shot to offer India the proper begin.
By no means one to point out emotion, Schopman jumped in pleasure within the dugout. But when she hoped the early objective would open the floodgates, she was mistaken.
Italy, who’re a a lot better crew than what their rating suggests, stored a sturdy defensive construction that didn’t enable India’s forwards any simple makes an attempt at objective. The house crew dominated possession, and tried to enter the circle from the flanks by way of mazy runs down the baseline and from the centre. However the Italian defenders have been on top of things, not giving India an inch contained in the ‘D’.
At half time, when the groups walked again with the rating nonetheless 1-0, there have been nerves, particularly figuring out that Italy have defeated India up to now.
However India stored knocking on the door earlier than finally breaking it down within the third quarter when Lalremsiami – who had one other unbelievable outing – used her velocity to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper earlier than she was fouled by a defender, resulting in India getting a penalty stroke. Deepika stepped as much as convert it with out a lot fuss.
This time, fairly than rejoicing, Schopman appeared relieved that India had a two-goal cushion. The grins, although, have been again on their faces when Salima did what she does greatest: dash into the field and rating a objective.
It put the end result past doubt and made certain the hosts remained concerned within the get together in their very own yard.
SEMIFINAL LINE-UP (each matches on Thursday)
Japan vs USA
Germany vs India