The Indian Women's Hockey Team is gearing up for a crucial phase as they embark on the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25. The team has already departed from Bengaluru and will begin the European leg on June 14. This leg is a significant opportunity for the team to improve their standing and gain valuable experience against top-tier opponents.
India's schedule includes matches against Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China, with each team to be played twice. The matches will be held in London, Antwerp, and Berlin from June 14 to June 29. The first matches are scheduled against Australia on June 14 and 15 in London. Following these matches, India will face Argentina on June 17 and 18, also in London. The team will then move to Antwerp for matches against Belgium on June 21 and 22, and finally conclude their European tour with games against China on June 28 and 29 in Berlin.
Currently, the Indian women's team is ranked sixth in the FIH Pro League standings with nine points. In the Bhubaneswar leg of the Pro League 2024-25, the team managed two wins and two draws in eight matches. The team is aiming to climb the leaderboard by securing wins against higher-ranked teams. A strong performance in the European leg is crucial not only for the Pro League standings but also for their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as the highest-placed nation at the end of the season (excluding those already qualified) will earn a spot.
Captain Salima Tete emphasized the importance of this leg, stating that the team is focused on playing well and defeating teams ranked above them. The team has been diligently reviewing their performances to identify weaknesses and build on their strengths. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur echoed this sentiment, expressing confidence in the team's ability to perform well and collect valuable points, building on their momentum from the Bhubaneswar leg where they held the world's number one team, Netherlands, to a draw and secured a bonus point in the shootout.
The FIH Pro League 2024-25 also serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The team finishing last in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 will be replaced by the winners of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup for the next season.
