India Clinch Semi-final Spot At Hockey Nations Cup 2026 With 2-1 Win Over Japan

The Indian Women's Hockey Team beat Japan 2-1 in its second Pool A match of the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2026 on Tuesday at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland. The win sealed a semi-final place, with India taking two wins from two pool games.

Captain and Player of the Match Salima Tete scored in the 33rd minute, and Lalremsiami added the winner in the 49th minute. Hiramitsu Ai equalised for Japan in the 35th minute. Midfielder Jyoti also completed her 100th senior international appearance in the match.

The first half stayed close, with both teams creating chances but failing to score before the break. India went ahead through a penalty corner variation, when Navneet Kaur's strike was deflected to Salima by Nikki Pradhan, and the skipper finished the move. Japan replied two minutes later through Hiramitsu from a penalty corner.

India then found the decisive goal in the final quarter. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam played a pass from the edge of the circle towards goal, and Lalremsiami deflected it into the net. The result moved unbeaten India to the top of Pool A with six points from wins over the USA and Japan.

India will next face Uruguay in its last Pool A match on June 18 at 4:15 am IST. Japan and the USA will meet for the second semi-final spot from Pool A. All FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025-26 matches will be streamed live on Watch.Hockey for free.