Hockey
Manisha Chauhan dragflicks India into final against England after packing off Italy 1-0
Manisha Chauhan struck the all-important goal in the 40th minute of the game to send India soaring into the final of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifers 2026 Hyderabad, Telangana. The hosts managed to eke out a 1-0 win against a fighting Italy thanks to Manisha’s brilliance.
In the final, India will meet England who scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Scotland in the first semifinal at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground (Gachibowli Hockey Complex) on Friday.
England scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Scotland in the semifinal of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifers 2026 Hyderabad, Telangana
Lottie Bingham (25′) and Darcy Bourne (29′) scored the two goals in the crucial match to book England’s spot in the final.
It was an extremely tight contest in the first quarter as both India and Italy constantly battled for possession in the midfield. India started the match strong with a couple of strong circle entries, however, Italy eventually started attacking aggressively and created a few good chances on goal.
After sealing World Cup berth, India shift focus to title charge as they face Italy in semifinal
India won the momentum back in the second quarter. The hosts used their flanks to push the ball ahead and started attacking in numbers and made crucial circle entries. In the 18th minute, India won the first penalty corner of the evening but Navneet Kaur’s shot on goal was stopped well by Italian goalkeeper Lucia Ines Caruso.
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In the 27th minute, they were awarded another penalty corner as India played out an interesting variation. The ball was played back to the injector, Captain Salima Tete, but her shot was stopped on the line by Italy’s last defender, denying them a goal. In the 29th minute, India had another opportunity to score through a penalty corner but Navneet Kaur’s shot went off target.
India got the better of Italy in a closely contested semifinal at the GMC Balayogi Hockey Ground (Gachibowli Hockey Complex) in Hyderabad on Friday
In the early minutes of the second half, Italy launched a strong attack on goal as Emilia Munitis was through on goal but India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam came out and made a crucial save.
Manisha’s powerful dragflick does the trick for India
In the 40th minute, India were awarded yet another penalty corner and this time they successfully converted it to break the deadlock. Manisha Chauhan (40′) delivered a powerful dragflick down the middle that pierced through the Italian defence and found the net.
India won two early penalty corners in the final quarter as they pushed to increase their advantage in the late stage but Italy remained resilient with their defending. Italy gave it their all in the final minutes of the match and won a crucial penalty corner in the 59th minute but India managed to deny their opposition the equaliser and emerged victorious.
India will next face England in the final on Saturday at 7:30 pm (IST).
Uruguay defeated Austria 3-0
Uruguay dominate Austria in 3-0 win
Uruguay enjoyed a dominant 3-0 victory over Austria in their 5/8th place encounter on Friday. Teresa Viana (21′,44′) and Captain Manuela Vilar (4′) were the goalscorers.
Wales get the better of Korea 2-1
Wales defeated Korea 2–1 in their 5/8th place encounter. Captain Elizabeth Bingham (49’, 53’) scored the goals for Wales while Yeongeun Park (46′) was the goalscorer for Korea.
Wales defeated Korea 2-1