Bengaluru, September 8 (H.S.): After securing a historic fifth-place finish at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, the Indian women’s team departed for Japan on Tuesday. The team’s objective is to win the gold medal at the Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Salima Tete will captain the side, while Sjoerd Marijne will serve as the head coach.

Since Marijne’s return, the Indian women’s team has placed particular emphasis on fitness, team cohesion and developing a strong collective identity. Under his guidance, India began 2026 with a silver medal at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup Qualifier. The team remained unbeaten until the final and secured its place in the World Cup by defeating Italy 1-0 in the semifinal.

India subsequently produced an impressive campaign at the FIH Women’s Hockey Nations Cup in Auckland. India defeated the United States, Japan and Uruguay in the pool stage. After thrashing Chile 6-0 in the semifinal, India defeated hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the final to lift the title. The victory also earned India promotion to the following season of the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League.

The Indian team continued its strong run at the World Cup, finishing fifth — its best-ever performance since the inaugural World Cup in 1974. India suffered only one defeat throughout the tournament. The team held higher-ranked sides China, England and Australia to draws and defeated South Africa 6-1. India concluded its World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over world No. 5 Germany.

The team’s focus now shifts to the Asian Games, where the stakes are even higher. Under the FIH qualification regulations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the highest-ranked eligible team in the women’s hockey competition will earn an Olympic quota place, provided it has not already qualified through another route. For India, therefore, winning the Asian Games gold medal would secure a direct route to an Olympic berth.

India have been placed in Pool B alongside Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. The Indian team will begin its campaign against Uzbekistan on September 20. It will then face Indonesia on September 21, Thailand on September 23, Japan on September 25 and Singapore on September 27. The knockout stage will begin on September 30, with the semifinals also scheduled for that day. The gold-medal match will be played on October 2.

Captain Salima Tete said the team is high on confidence following its recent successes but will have to produce its best performance in every match at the Asian Games.

“We are heading into the Asian Games with a lot of confidence, but we also know that every tournament brings a new challenge. The Nations Cup and the World Cup have given us the belief in what we can achieve as a team, and now our focus is on taking that one step further. Our goal is absolutely clear — we want to fight with everything we have for the gold medal and secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. We know that this will require consistency, discipline and giving our best in every match, and as a team, we are ready for this challenge,” she said.

The 20-member Indian squad for the Asian Games features a strong blend of experienced players and emerging talent. The team includes two goalkeepers, Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam, along with five defenders — Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lal Thantluangi, Jyoti and Shilpi Dabas.

The midfield comprises Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, captain Salima Tete, Neha and Deepika Soreng. The forward line features Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.

After winning the Nations Cup title and producing their best World Cup performance in more than five decades, the Indian women’s team now has a golden opportunity to achieve another historic milestone at the Asian Games.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar