The Indian team sealed its place in next year's Games after beating USA 6-5 on aggregate despite losing the second match 1-4 against the visitors in the double-leg FIH Olympic Qualifiers in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
This is the second time in a row that they have made it to the tournament proper despite a huge scare after the US led the hosts 4-0 at half-time.
The Indian team put one foot in the Tokyo Olympics next year by registering a 5-1 victory over the United States at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
The India women's hockey team put one foot in the Tokyo Olympics next year by registering a 5-1 victory over the United States in a qualifier first leg clash at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.
The Indian women's hockey team's recent tour of England would prove beneficial for the team ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifiers, according to captain Rani Rampal.
The Indian team started the match on an attacking note, and pushed the hosts back into their own half, creating a host of opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes.
After a win and two consecutive draws in their first three games, India women face their first defeat on the England tour.
The third match between India and Great Britain in the former's tour to England ended in a goalless draw.
Indian women's hockey team held Great Britain to a 1-1 draw in their second match of the ongoing tour to the United Kingdom.
The Indian women hockey team had impressive outings in the recently concluded Olympic Test event, and goalkeeper Savita Punia is positive about the upcoming five-match series against England.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will play three matches each in their Test event for Olympics in Tokyo.
High on confidence after its title win in FIH Hockey series in Hiroshima last month, the women's team is practising hard for the final Olympic qualifier, to be held in November.
Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur struck twice after skipper Rani Rampal provided the lead as India outplayed Japan 3-1 to clinch the FIH Women's Series Finals.
India beat Chile 4-2 in the semifinal of the FIH Series Finals in Japan, and will take on either Russia or Japan in the final.
Young striker from Mizoram, Lalremsiami (17th, 58th minutes) starred with a brace, while Neha Goyal (21st), Navneet Kaur (32nd), Rani Rampal (51st) maintained India's lead after the initial setback in the first quarter.
While the men lost 2-4 to Malaysia on Sunday, the women's team suffered a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Argentina later in the day.
Lalremsiami (10'), captain Salima Tete (14') and Baljeet Kaur (14') contributed to the U-18 team's victory with a goal each.
The Indian women last made it to the summit clash of the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998 and ended runners-up after losing to Korea.
India dominated the match in terms of possession and chances created as Rani (33', 37') provided the side with a two-goal cushion, she was backed by two well-converted penalty corners by Gurjit (44', 50').
Top News
Latest News
