Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Targets Asian Games Gold, LA Berth
India’s women’s hockey team is traveling to Japan for the Asian Games.
The team wants to win the gold medal.
Winning the tournament could also give India a direct place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India recently had strong results in several major competitions.
It finished fifth at the World Cup, its best result since 1974.
It also won the Nations Cup without losing a match.
India will play teams including Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
The team’s first match is against Uzbekistan on September 20.
India’s women’s hockey team departed for the Asian Games after finishing fifth at the World Cup.
Captain Salima Tete said the team is targeting gold and direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India is in Pool B with Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
India will begin against Uzbekistan on September 20, with the gold-medal match scheduled for October 2.
The team recently won the Nations Cup, earned promotion to the Women’s Pro League, and lost only once at the World Cup.
- Who
- India’s women’s hockey team, led by captain Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne.
- What
- The team departed for the Asian Games seeking the gold medal and direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
- When
- The team departed on Tuesday, September 8; its opening match is scheduled for September 20, and the gold-medal match for October 2.
- Where
- The Asian Games women’s hockey competition will be held in Japan; the report is datelined Bengaluru.
- Why
- The highest-placed eligible team in the women’s hockey competition can earn an Olympic quota place under the FIH qualification system, provided it has not qualified through another pathway.
- World Cup result
- India finished fifth, its best World Cup result since the inaugural edition in 1974.
- Asian Games pool
- Pool B includes India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
- Opening match
- India will play Uzbekistan on September 20.
- Knockout phase
- The knockout phase and semifinals are scheduled for September 30.
- Gold-medal match
- The final is scheduled for October 2.
- Recent title
- India won the Nations Cup after defeating New Zealand 2-0 in the final.
- Olympic qualification
- The highest-placed eligible Asian Games team can receive a direct quota place for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.