GONSHU, China — The Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 is set to begin in Gongshu, China, from September 5 to 14, with eight teams vying for a coveted spot at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. For India, the tournament presents a crucial opportunity to rebound from a disappointing FIH Pro League season and secure a place in the quadrennial event.
India’s Challenges
India will need to address significant concerns on both ends of the pitch to be successful. The team’s defense has been particularly leaky, having conceded over 100 penalty corners and 43 goals in its 16 Pro League matches. The attacking woes are equally apparent, compounded by the absence of drag-flicker Deepika, who finished as India’s top scorer with seven goals but is ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury. With the Haryana forward sidelined, other players will need to step up to provide the necessary firepower.
Tournament Format and Pools
The tournament features eight teams divided into two pools:
- Pool A: China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Malaysia
- Pool B: India, Japan, Thailand, Singapore
Each team will play the other three in its pool once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 4s, while the bottom two will enter a classification round. In the Super 4s, each team will play three matches, with the final standings determining the participants in the medal matches.
Key Match Schedule and Live Streaming
India will kick off its campaign on September 5 against Thailand. The team’s full schedule is as follows:
- September 5: India vs. Thailand – 12:00 PM IST
- September 6: Japan vs. India – 4:30 PM IST
- September 8: India vs. Singapore – 12:00 PM IST
Live streaming for the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 will be available on an on-demand basis on watch.hockey. The tournament will not be broadcast live in India.
Discussion about this post