Preview: Bolstered by the campaign-saving draw against the mighty USA, the Indian women’s hockey team will fancy its chances against lower-ranked Italy in the cross-over World Cup match. Ranked 10th, India will start as overwhelming favourites against 17th ranked Italy in the crucial knock-out match, where a win will pit them against Ireland in the quarterfinals on Thursday. While India had to fight their way into the knock-out round from Pool B after registering two draws against England and USA and a loss to Ireland, Italy easily scrapped past China (3-0) and Korea (1-0) before slumping to a heavy 1-12 loss to Netherlands in their last match to finish second in Pool A. But going into the game, the momentum surely would be on India’s side and it would also be difficult for Italy to bounce back from the morale-shattering loss against the Dutch. Under pressure, the Indians, on the other hand, produced a spirited performance against the USA to come out of a difficult situation and salvage their World Cup campaign. Having conceded a goal in the 11th minute against the USA, India’s backs were against the wall and it took a valiant all-round effort and an inspiring goal from skipper Rani Rampal in the 31st minute to secure the all-important draw, a result which shut the doors on the Americans. The match would come as an added motivation for the Indians as a win would provide them with an opportunity to avenge their 0-1 loss to Ireland in the pool stages. Experienced India captain Rani knows what it takes to win such crucial matches and said they need to go full throttle. “We need to just focus on ourselves, build on our strength and ensure we use our positive points in the match against Italy. There is no doubt we need to go all-out in this crucial crossover match if we want to see ourselves in the quarter-final,” said Rani whose goal against the USA enabled India to finish third in Pool B. Rani emphasised the need to have a winning mentality to do well in big tournaments. “We all knew a draw would be enough, but we wanted to go for the win. I think the hunger to win attitude helped us. We enter a match with the attitude that if we play a good match then the crowds will support us and that we must fight for the ball. I am proud of how the team played against the USA and now we need to once again do everything we can to win against Italy,” she said. Notwithstanding Italy’s 12-1 drubbing against the Netherlands in their last match, the Indian skipper warned her side against complacency, saying the Italians are a serious contender. The Indians would also draw inspiration from their shoot-out victory against the Italians at the 2015 Hockey World League Semi-final. “Italy is a good team and they have enjoyed good wins in this tournament too. But we need to go into the match with the self-belief that we can beat them,” Rani said. With inputs from PTI
Highlights, India vs Italy, Women's Hockey World Cup 2018 cross-over match: India set up quarter-final clash with Ireland
Catch all the latest updates from the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup cross-over match between India and Italy.
 "Highlights, India vs Italy, Women's Hockey World Cup 2018 cross-over match: India set up quarter-final clash with Ireland")
And just before we wind up, India have won the cross-over against Italy 3-0.
Scorers:
Lalremsiami, Neha Goyal and Vandana Katariya.
India now play Ireland in the QF on Thursday.
It’s a big achievement for the India women.
Asia Cup winners and now playing the WC QF.
India have a wonderful opportunity to seal a semi spot.
But that will be on Thursday.
That’s it.
India have won the cross-over match 3-0 against the Italians.
They are into the QF.
It will be Ireland vs India in the QF.
Seconds ticking away.
India lead 3-0.
They have sealed a QF berth.
Two minutes left in the match.
India lead 3-0.
India are looking to seal a QF berth.
Great save by the Italian GK off a Navjot shot.
3 mins left in the match.
India lead 3-0.
GOAL!
INDIA LEAD 3-0.
VANDANA KATARIYA GETS IT.
LOVELY DEFLECTION OF A GURJIT FLICK.
Jasbeer Singh almost scores for Italy but the shot goes off the top of the stick.
That would have been something.
Jasbeer scoring against India.
Vandana tries a reverse shot but Italy defend.
India up 2-0 with ten minutes left.
India showing some clean defending.
Picking the ball early.
Not waiting for the Italians to come in deep.
And India defend it well.
Savita takes the shot on the pad and the defenders do the rest.
India lead 2-0.
It’s the 4th Quarter now.
India lead 2-0.
And Italy have their 1st PC.
GOAL!
INDIA LEAD 2-0.
IT’S NEHA WHO GOT THE GOAL.
HER SECOND GOAL IN THE TOURNAMENT.
Too much individual play from Rani.
And the Italians take the ball away.
India still not stretching the pitch.
They are leading 1-0.
Rani had a good chance but the Italian defence stops her from taking that shot.
India need to be sharper in the Italian half and their striking circle.
Too many chances are being wasted.
India are slowing the pace a bit.
PC 2 for India.
Can they increase the lead?
India have to find a second goal. That will open up Italy further.
What a miss from Navneet Kaur! Dribbles and then pushes wide with an open goal in front.
India have gone for a referral. She is looking for a PC.
Italy already raising the tempo of the game here.
Pushing players up front.
India committing errors and giving some turn-overs.
Teams are back for the 3rd Q.
Italy will go all out to find that equaliser.
India are leading 1-0 at the break.
Even though the goal came early, Indian coach Marijne wouldn’t be too happy.
They have been a bit scrappy and not sharp when they had the chances.
India a bit scrappy now in the midfield.
They have to get another goal.
And that’s the end of the 2nd Q.
India lead 1-0.
India making the moves.
But the final touch is missing.
Italy moving players up.
Three minutes left in the 2nd Q.
India lead 1-0.
Italy pressing now.
But India has the counter.
Italians are defending well in the circle.
India being kept away.
A couple of good chances for India but they need to keep their nerve.
India slightly hasty in their passing.
India lead 1-0.
2nd Q begins.
Italy will come hard.
India will play possession-based hockey and look for the opportunities.
And that’s the end of the 1st Q.
India lead 1-0.
It was a Lalremsiami’s goal.
Turnovers coming from Italy.
India need to take advantage.
Spreading out and playing will help.
1st Q coming to an end.
India 1-0.
India trying to keep possession.
Idea is to make the Italians work for it.
India are also making errors. But that is coming from individualistic play.
Italy deflected off the Indian PC.
But then the free hit by India went into the circle. Minz tapped it to Lalremsiami who just flicked it into goal.
India have the lead.
Italy will do the chasing.
India 1-0.
GOAL!
INDIA HAVE THE LEAD.
LALREMSIAMI SCORES.
IT’S 1-0.
First signs of aggression from Italy.
But India have a counter.
Both teams still trying to find some foothold in the game.
India playing up with three forwards.
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