Indian women’s hockey team finished at the bottom of the table in the European leg of FIH Hockey Pro League and relegated to FIH Hockey Nations Cup
India’s chief women’s hockey coach, Harendra Singh has vast coaching experience. On Sunday, however, his demeanour at the coaches dug out in the last FIH Hockey Pro League game against China in Berlin was that of a ‘worried man’.
It was obvious that he was disappointed as the Indian women’s hockey team was relegated from the elite hockey tournament after a series of losses.
On Sunday, his strategies seemed to be not making any impact as the team lost their grip as the match progressed.
India lost 0-3 in the first leg against China on Saturday. The Indian side put up a better show in the second leg on Sunday, but it was not enough for a victory. They lost 2-3.
The Indian side started on a positive note and made good moves. They surged ahead, but eventually failed to check the Chinese forward line from taking the lead. Both the teams were 2–2 at the end of the third quarter. The last seven minutes were decisive. China gained the upper hand while India lost the plot.
Indian skipper Salima Tete in the post-match interaction in the FIH website said all is not lost. They have a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through continental cup. “Our next goal is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through the Asian Cup,” Salima said.
The Indian side didn’t win a single match on the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League to finish at the bottom of the nine-nations pool.
In the next season, the Indian women’s team will play in the Nations Cup and look to qualify to a higher tier.
Ireland has been promoted to FIH Hockey Pro League by virtue of finishing runners up at the FIH Hockey Nations Cup played earlier this year in Chile. The winners of the Nations Cup in Chile–New Zealand—have refused to join the elite hockey tournament and the runners-up team as per the FIH rule was invited.
