Asia Women’s Cup: Four qualify for FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in Spain and The Netherlands
As the 2022 Asia Women’s Cup nears its halfway point in Muscat, Oman, four countries have qualified for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in Spain and the Netherlands in 2022.
Japan (FIH World Ranking: 13), India (WR: 9), China (WR: 12), and Korea (WR: 10) will now play in the competition’s semi-finals, having already clinched the four automatic qualification slots available from this regional qualifier.
Japan and Korea are currently flying high. Both teams are undefeated thus far, with Japan putting on the most impressive performance in a 2-0 pool A victory over reigning winners India. Korea’s 4-0 thrashing of China was also a stunning performance, as Korea finished first in Pool B.
On the last day of group play, China defeated Indonesia (WR:7-0); Korea defeated Thailand (WR:29) 6-0; Japan defeated Malaysia (WR:20) 8-0; and India defeated Singapore (WR:41) 9-1.
Cheon Eunbi of Korea presently leads the goal scorers’ standings with five goals; Shihori Oikawa of Japan is one goal behind.
On Wednesday 26 January, Korea will face India and Japan will face China in the semi-finals. On the same day, Malaysia will face Indonesia and Thailand will face Singapore in the fifth through eighth place matches.
Savita, India’s captain, was effusive in her praise following her team’s triumph over Singapore: ‘Our first match was not very good, but I believe our second match, versus Japan, was better.
‘Today’s performance was adequate. We are aware that we can perform better, but having qualified [for the World Cup], we must now concentrate on the semi-finals.
‘Qualifying for events through tournaments is always beneficial. That is what we did for the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. My fourth Asia Cup appearance and my first as captain. It is always an honor for me and my squad to represent our country in international competitions, whether they are the Asia Cup, the Commonwealth Games, or the World Cup.
‘I was more delighted for our coach. We worked extremely hard, and our coach Janneke [Schopman] is an inspiration.’
Wednesday 26 January match schedule for the Asia Women’s Cup 2022:
(All times are Central Standard Time in India.)
5-8th position
Thailand vs. Singapore, 11:30 a.m.
Malaysia vs. Indonesia, 14:00
Semi-finals
16:30 India vs. Korea
Japan vs. China, 19:00
