Punjab Newsline,Sports:
Indian Women’s Hockey Team tops Pool-B with four points; a win or draw against Wales will secure a semi-final berth
In the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team will face Wales in their final Pool-B match on Wednesday. After two exciting matches, the team is close to securing a place in the semi-finals.
Currently, India sits at the top of the Pool-B points table with four points and a strong goal difference. The top two teams from the pool will advance to the semi-finals. India will qualify if they either win or draw the match against Wales. However, if India loses, they will remain on four points and their qualification will depend on the result of the match between Scotland and Uruguay, with goal difference possibly deciding their fate.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team has delivered impressive performances so far in the tournament. They began their campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Uruguay on March 8. In the next match, India came very close to another win but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Scotland.
Young forward Sunelita Toppo has been outstanding, scoring in both matches. Meanwhile, attackers Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal have also impressed by scoring goals and creating several attacking opportunities.
India’s defense has also remained strong. Goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam has made several crucial saves during the matches. Playing in front of an energetic home crowd in Hyderabad has also provided a big boost to the Indian team.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, captain Salima Tete said that there is a positive atmosphere in the squad after the first two games. She added that the young players are making the most of their opportunities and the team is enjoying playing freely, which is a good sign for the upcoming matches.
She further said, “We want to qualify for the World Cup and become champions. That’s what we discuss whenever the team is together, and that is our goal.”
Historically, India has a strong record against Wales, leading their head-to-head encounters 5-1. However, Wales will be determined to register their first win of the campaign, which means India will need to stay focused to finish the pool stage on a high note.