New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team booked its place in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2026 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan in Pool A at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland on Tuesday.
Captain Salima Tete and forward Lalremsiami scored in either half as India registered their second consecutive win of the tournament to remain unbeaten and sit atop Pool A with six points.
The match was also a special occasion for midfielder Jyoti, who made her 100th appearance for the senior national team.
Both sides enjoyed periods of dominance in a tightly contested first half but failed to convert their chances, heading into the break locked at 0-0.
India finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through a well-rehearsed penalty-corner routine. Navneet Kaur’s attempt was deftly redirected by Nikki Pradhan into the path of Salima Tete, who made no mistake in finding the net.
Japan responded swiftly as Hiramitsu Ai converted a penalty corner just two minutes later to level the scores and set up an exciting final quarter.
The decisive moment arrived in the 49th minute when Lalremsiami produced a clinical finish. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam threaded a precise pass into the circle, and the forward timed her deflection perfectly to restore India’s lead.
Japan pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but India’s defence held firm to secure all three points and confirm a place in the last four.
The result ensures India progress to the semifinals with one group-stage match still remaining. After back-to-back victories in the tournament, the team will now take on Uruguay on June 18 in its final Pool A fixture, while Japan and the USA will compete for the other semifinal spot from the group.