4 min learnNew DelhiMar 11, 2026 11:53 PM IST
Even earlier than pushback between India and Wales in Hyderabad on Wednesday evening on the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers, Salima Tete’s aspect had been assured of their place within the semifinals and – by extension – had sealed their spot on the World Cup later this 12 months in Belgium and the Netherlands. Scotland’s win over Uruguay was sufficient, however India maybe performed with the liberty of figuring out their major process for this week was full and dismantled Wales 4-1 in a free-flowing attacking show, to make sure they prime Pool B and keep away from England within the last 4.
Reflecting on India’s 2-2 draw on Tuesday in opposition to Scotland, head coach Sjoerd Marijne wished to see a rise in his aspect’s attacking output. “The large (studying from Scotland) is scoring objectives. If you happen to take a look at the alternatives that had been created, we missed 4 open objectives and didn’t convert sufficient from Penalty Corners. I used to be actually pleased with what we created. We did rather well there, however for those who don’t rating, it doesn’t at all times look good.”
And Indian gamers responded to that goal as Navneet Kaur was as soon as once more sensational, scoring a hat-trick, whereas 18-year-old Sakshi Rana provided one other reminder of her expertise, scoring as soon as but in addition being closely concerned in India’s attacking performs.
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India began the match on the entrance foot, tenting largely within the Welsh defensive third and the strain paid off early. Ishika confirmed nice stick abilities to manoeuvre house and discover Sakshi centrally. She nonetheless had lots to do, and {the teenager} fired house a improbable backhander from distance.
Ishika had an opportunity quickly after to double the lead as roles had been reversed this time, with Sakshi setting her up by means of on objective, however her shot from shut vary lacked sting and was saved simply. Because the clock wound down within the opening quarter, Navneet made a pleasant run down the left baseline and performed a cross right into a harmful space nevertheless it cut up the hole between two Indian forwards ready on the far put up.
Halfway by means of the second quarter, Navneet practically produced the help of the match. After receiving Lalremsiami’s cross together with her again to Welsh defence, she hit a reverse cross to eradicate her markers and practically put the previous by means of on objective, however goalkeeper Ffion Horrell rushed out neatly. But it surely was thrilling, give-and-go, eyes-up hockey from India
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Then simply earlier than half time, Navneet doubled India’s lead from a Penalty Nook together with her signature low angular hit that beat the Welsh rush.
Wales examined India’s defence early within the second half with a PC that drew a very good save from Bichu Devi. However regular proceedings resumed quickly after, as Navneet scored her second of the evening and India’s third, changing a PC with a low hit to sound the board. The possibility was created as soon as extra by Sakshi after some beautiful dribbling contained in the circle. The teenager was on the coronary heart of India’s attacking forays, successful one other PC shortly after with wonderful mixture play with Sunelita Toppo. However Manisha Chauhan, who has been taking fairly just a few brief corners as India’s major drag-flicker in Deepika’s absence, couldn’t discover a well past Welsh defence regardless of testing the goalkeeper.
Towards the run-of-play, Welsh pulled one again with one of the best objective of the evening. Betsan Thomas stole from India’s defence and dribbled down the left byline to attain from the narrowest of angles previous Bichu with an inside-out push after dropping her shoulder to open up a window.
Within the last quarter, carelessness crept into India’s gameplay and a foolish turnover led to an outstanding counter from Thomas and a penalty stroke for Wales. It could have made the final 10 minutes nervous for India however Bingham missed the stroke.
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Navneet’s hat-trick was a stroke too nevertheless it was a well-deserved one as a result of it was her sensational run from defence to assault that finally led to the penalty received by Salima Tete.
Scoreline: India 4-1 Wales – Sakshi Rana (7′), Navneet Kaur (29′, 34′, 55′), Betsan Thomas (39′)