K. ARUMUGAM

India qualified for the 2022 World Cup after it made it to the semifinal of the ongoing Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman. Having defeated both South Eastern Asian teams, Malaysia in the opener and Singapore on its third and last pool match today, India landed second in its pool behind Japan. Since Asia has a giant proportion of qualification — four out of eight teams competing in the Asia Cup – India has formalized its entry for Spain-Netherlands.

Probably because of the reason, there was satisfaction in the team but not jubilation.

Indian women, who have rich hockey tradition, will thus be making their 8th appearance in the elite competition. They were not there only twice – 2002 and 2014. Coming fourth at the France number in 1974 is the highest rank it achieved. At London in the last edition, India lost the quarterfinal to Ireland in a tense shoot out.

Navjot Kaur appreciating penalty corner scorer Gurjit Kaur

Considering the composition, history and current form  of the teams here in Muscat, it was expected India, South Korea, China and new sensational team Japan will make it to the 2022 World Cup number. Only uncertainty here was Malaysia. That had evaporated when India overwhelmed with 9-0 rout. In the previous editions, Malaysia used to be tough nut to crack, even landing in bronze bracket. However, they are not what they were in the recent past.

Malaysia could only defeat Indonesia though coached by a Malaysian in Abdullah Dharmaraj.

India, after having lost to Japan in the second pool match, came on its own form pumping in three goals in first ten minutes of the proceedings against Singapore. Ultimately, it was again a 9-1 rout. However, the match will long be remembered by the losing team, as it was the only match they struck a goal. They joy that followed their maiden goal had all trappings of an exuberant but emerging team.

India showed vintage glimpses of penalty corner conversion, with Gurjit Kaur getting three goals. Debutants Mariana Kujur and Jyoti too entered their names on the scoreboard. Vandana and Monika added to the scorer’s list.

Photos by K Arumugam