FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers: Exploring all scenarios awaiting Indian team ahead of their match against Italy

The India women’s hockey team find themselves facing a do-or-die situation in their final Pool B fixture of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers against Italy in Ranchi on Tuesday. A situation they weren’t expected to find themselves given they were the second-highest-ranked team in the Ranchi leg of the qualifiers, only behind Germany. The Janneke Schopman-coached side however, were given a rude shock by USA in their opening match on Saturday that led to a question mark appearing over their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics this year. Abigail Tamer’s strike in the second quarter was all that it took for the Americans to pull off an upset victory over the hosts. The Indians guilty of wasting far too many opportunities and lost the match despite having more possession and creating far more scoring chances, whether through Penalty Corners or through shots on target. India, though, would bounce back in their very next game and resurrect their Olympic hopes with a commanding 3-1 victory over New Zealand on Sunday. It was the kind of clinical performance that was expected of Savita Punia and Co, but they somehow couldn’t express it against the US. Read | 'Just do yourself a favour and show up': Janneke Schopman to India All four goals were scored in a dramatic first quarter; the Black Sticks had briefly caused a scare by drawing level at 1-1 after Sangita Kumari opened India’s account in the very first minute. Udita (12’) and Beauty Dung Dung (14’) however scored within a space of two minutes to put India ahead and they managed to hold on to their two-goal lead till the final whistle. It was important for the Indians to get the ‘W’ on the board for them to stay alive in the competition, and the margin of victory against the Kiwis could also prove crucial for their survival. However, India aren’t quite through yet, and their chances of reaching the semi-finals will also depend on the result of the New Zealand-USA fixture that takes place on the same day. Fortunately for the Indians, the NZ-US will be over before they even begin their warm-ups for their game, so Schopman and the rest of the team will be well aware of their targets against Italy. Ahead of their final Pool B game, we take a look at some of the scenarios awaiting the Indian team: Scenario 1: If USA defeat New Zealand The US find themselves at the top of Pool B with six points from two wins and they also have the best Goal Difference (3) of the lot. A victory for them against New Zealand will only make the job a whole lot easier for the Indian team, for whom even a draw against the Italians will be enough to secure a top-two finish in Pool B. However, if India end up losing their match against Italy, it would create a three-way tie between New Zealand, India and Italy on three points where GD would become a separating factor. Both New Zealand and India have a Goal Difference of 1 while Italy’s is -5, it might just be a direct shootout between the Kiwis and the Indians. Scenario 2: If New Zealand defeats USA If New Zealand defeat the USA and India beat Italy, it will create a three-way tie between USA, New Zealand and India where GD will once again become a separating factor. The US currently have the best GD of the group and that factor might come in handy for them. However, the Indian team will fancy themselves to register a big victory against the relatively unfancied Italy, ranked 20th in the world who have never made an appearance in the Olympics or in the World Cup. Scenario 3: If New Zealand-USA match ends in a draw Should the USA-New Zealand match end in a draw, a victory by any margin will ensure India progress to the semis with the USA though they will miss out on the opportunity to finish as group toppers, and likely meet Germany in the last four. If both Pool B matches end in a draw on Tuesday, New Zealand and India will finish level on four points and it will come down to GD to decide which team advances to the semi-finals.