Indian Women's Hockey Team Departs for Asian Games in Japan With Eyes on Gold and 2028 Olympic Qualification

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-09 12:37:00

Fresh off a stellar campaign that delivered their best performance in decades, the Indian women’s hockey team has officially departed for Japan to compete in the highly anticipated Asian Games. Following a commendable fifth-place finish at the recent World Cup—marking the nation's strongest showing since the inaugural tournament in 1974—the squad is riding high on confidence. Led by inspirational captain Salima Tete and head coach Sjoerd Marijne, the team carries the hopes of millions as they set their sights firmly on capturing the gold medal and securing a direct qualification quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, awarded to the highest-ranked eligible nation at the continental showcase.

Captain Salima Tete Expresses High Confidence Ahead of Continental Clash

Addressing supporters and media prior to departure, skipper Salima Tete emphasized that while the team travels to Japan with immense self-belief, players remain fully grounded knowing that every international fixture presents unique challenges. The squad boasts a formidable mix of seasoned campaigners and dynamic talent, featuring veteran goalkeeper Savita, alongside core performers Navneet Kaur, Neha, Nikki Pradhan, Lalremsiami, and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam. This balanced roster aims to translate their tactical discipline and recent World Cup learnings into dominant performances across the upcoming pool matches.

Pool B Fixtures and Tournament Schedule Set for September Kickoff

Team India will officially commence its high-stakes Asian Games campaign on September 20, squaring off against Uzbekistan in their Pool B opener. The team faces a rigorous group-stage schedule, playing consecutive fixtures against Indonesia on September 21, Thailand on September 23, host nation Japan on September 25, and concluding the round-robin matches against Singapore on September 27. Following the preliminary stage, the knockout battles will get underway on September 30, where the top contenders will fight for podium glory and the coveted direct Olympic ticket.

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