Two back to back losses in space of less than 24 hours against Germany in the semis and against Japan in the third-place playoff in the FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifier in Ranchi both by the narrowest of margins ended their hopes of making the cut for the Paris Olympics 2024.

Heartbreak for India in sudden death against Germany

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team put on a spirited show against Germany but were unable to get over the line as they lost 2-2 (3-4 SO) in a thrilling Semi-Final late on Thursday night that was witnessed by a large number of passionate spectators including former Indian world cup cricket winning captain M S Dhoni.

Coming into the Semi-Finals on the back of successive victories in the group stage, the Indian team made plenty of circle entries in the first quarter and it was a drag-flick from Deepika (14’) on a penalty corner towards the end of the quarter that put India in the lead.  The Savita Punia led Indian side took the lead through a successful drag-flick conversion from Deepika (14’) on a penalty corner towards the end of the first quarter. Charlotte Stapenhorst (26’) equalized for Germany, despite the Indians having better ball possession while complementing with a tight defense in the second quarter. With the score line reading 1-1 at half-time, it was Stapenhorst (56’) field goal that saw the FIH Women ranked no. 5 teams ahead with just over three minutes left on the clock in the final quarter.  In overdrive India eves fought back courtesy a goal from Ishika (59’) who anticipated a deflection on a penalty corner taking the match into a penalty shoot-out as the score read 2-2 at the end of full time.

In the shootout, it was advantage India as Savita made two fine saves before they squandered a 3-1 lead and were held 3-3 after five attempts, and it took an audacious finish by Lisa Nolte in a one-on-one situation that saw the host lose 3-4 in sudden death.

 Indian Olympics dreams shattered by a resolute Japan

Losing Semi-finalists India like Japan (who earlier lost to USA 1-2 in the semis) still had a chance to qualify for Paris. The fact that the host, who boosted their highly successful track record in the last five occasions against the visitors including their 4-0 win at the Asian Games 2022, China,  mattered little at the crunch time in the 3rd/4th place play-off game.

 In a hard fought encounter the  Janneke Schopman Indian coached side went down by a solitary first quarter goal scored by  Karan Urata (6’) of the second Penalty Corner in the opening few minutes of the match. The Yuri Nagai lead visiting side with their resolute and organized deep defending followed the game plan dished out by their coach Jude Menezes, a former Indian custodian to the toe in the later part of the game, even as the host earned nine penalty corners as against the two (none of which were converted) by them in the next 45 minutes.  

The fact that India dominated the last three quarters both in terms of possession and the territorial advantage, but could not capitalise on the advantage in the run of play for an equalizer added to their woes. It was Japan custodian Eika Nakamura stunning save to deny a certain goal bound ball off Deepika’s booming drive of a penalty corner midway in the third quarter followed by a defensive clearance off the line by Ishika Chaudhary at the end on a quick counter that proved to be one of the highlight of the match that proved to be crucial in the context of the game, that had little margin of errors.

With clock ticking and an Olympic qualification on the line, the under pressure the world no. 6 Indian side failed to cash in on a player advantage after their world no. 12 rivals were reduced to ten players, a late green card to Chiko Fujibayashi despite winning two penalty corners. Japan, however, defended relentlessly and held on to their lead for a place in the Olympics.