1 week ago
India Seeks Historic World Cup Fifth Place Against Germany
India’s women’s hockey team will play Germany for fifth place at the World Cup.
India is already guaranteed at least fifth place, which would be its best result since 1974.
The team missed the semifinals after drawing 0-0 with Australia.
India has otherwise had a strong tournament, losing only to the Netherlands.
It also drew with China and England and beat South Africa 6-1.
Germany is ranked fifth in the world and defeated India twice in practice matches.
India’s coach says the team has recovered from its disappointment and is ready to try again.
India will rely on its strong defense and needs to take its scoring chances.
The match can help India prepare for the Asian Games, where gold would qualify it directly for the 2028 Olympics.
India will face higher-ranked Germany in the Women’s Hockey World Cup fifth-place playoff in Amstelveen.
India are guaranteed their best World Cup finish since placing fourth in the inaugural 1974 edition.
India missed the semifinals after drawing 0-0 with Australia when they needed a win to advance.
India have lost only once, to the Netherlands, while Germany beat them in both pre-tournament practice matches.
India hope a strong finish will build momentum for the Asian Games, where gold would secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- India and Germany’s women’s hockey teams; Germany is coached by former India head coach Janneke Schopman.
- What
- They will contest the Women’s Hockey World Cup fifth-place playoff.
- Where
- Amstelveen.
- When
- Most reports say Wednesday, August 26, with the match beginning at 6:30 p.m. IST; one report describes it as Thursday.
- Why
- India wants to finish the tournament with a win and carry confidence into the upcoming Asian Games.
Key facts
- Match
- India vs Germany, Women’s Hockey World Cup fifth-place playoff
- India’s guaranteed finish
- At least fifth, its best World Cup result since fourth place in 1974
- India’s tournament record
- One defeat; draws against China, England and Australia, plus a 6-1 win over South Africa
- India’s only loss
- A defeat against defending champions and co-hosts the Netherlands
- Germany’s ranking
- Fifth in the world
- Previous meetings
- Germany beat India in both practice matches before the World Cup
- Olympic qualification
- Asian Games gold would provide direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Quotes
Sjoerd Marijne
India women’s hockey head coach
“The team has overcome the disappointment of not reaching the semifinals and is now fully focused on defeating Germany and leaving the tournament with a win. We want to improve our game and perform better for the Asian Games.”
indianexpress.com
theprint.in
rediff.com
“This rest was crucial to recover from the setback in the previous match. Now, the team will play against Germany with renewed vigour and freshness.”
indianexpress.com
theprint.in
rediff.com
Sources
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