Highlights, India vs Italy, Women's Hockey World Cup 2018 cross-over match: India set up quarter-final clash with Ireland

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.

And that’s PC 6.

PC 5 for India.

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.

PC 4 for India.

Too much individual play from Rani.

And the Italians take the ball away.

And the Italians defend it comfortably.

PC 3 for India.

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.

Deepika takes the hit but the ball flies wide.

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.

Lovely chance for Udita but she couldn’t trap following an Italian defensive error.

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.

And that’s India’s 1st PC.

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.

Both India and Italy not giving much away right now. Using possession and having the defence rotate the ball.

No early risks at the moment.

India building up slowly.

And we are off!

Italians playing in their half. India pressing a bit on the flank.

There will be early aggression from both the teams.

And in a minute or so, India take on Italy.

It’s the Cross Over Match.

Winner goes to the QF.

Teams on the turf. 

And it’s the Italian National Anthem to be followed by the Indian anthem.

In a few more minutes, both the teams will be coming on to the pitch.

India, Asia Cup Champions and runners-up at the Asian Champions Trophy would probably play an open and mature game.

Italy, clever on the flanks with a good PC drill will pose problems.

India has shown some good defensive structure in the Pool matches and today they need to use that.

In their last Pool matches, Italy were beaten 1-12 by The Netherlands.

India, on the other hand, drew with the USA 1-1.

Today, however, is different. The winner goes to the QF.

India, 10th in the FIH rankings, will be taking on Italy, world No. 17th.

In terms of points, Italy had six with two wins in Pool A.

India had two points from two draws in Pool B.

In fact, India would be looking for their first win in the World Cup.

Welcome to the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.

Today is a big day in Indian women’s hockey.

India play Italy and the winner goes to the QF.

The last time, India went into a QF and last four stage was in 1974 when India finished 4th at the World Cup.

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s live coverage of the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup cross-over match between India and Italy.