The Indian Women’s Hockey Team has carried strong form into the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Hangzhou, finishing the pool stage unbeaten and now preparing for the critical Super4s phase.
India’s campaign resumes with a key encounter against Korea on 10 September, followed by matches against hosts China and defending champions Japan.
For India, this stage represents more than just another hurdle it is a chance to consolidate their dominance in Asia and underline their credentials as serious contenders for the title.
Pool Stage: Momentum With India
India topped Pool B with seven points from three outings, a reflection of their ability to balance ruthless finishing with defensive resilience.
Their tournament began in emphatic fashion with an 11-0 rout of Thailand, where the gulf in class was evident. The match gave forwards plenty of freedom, with Navneet Kaur and Mumtaz Khan both among the scorers.
The second game against Japan, however, tested India’s mettle. In a tightly fought contest, India twice had to dig deep against the defending champions. The 2-2 draw demonstrated not just their attacking quality but also their composure against one of Asia’s most technically astute sides.
India closed the pool phase with a commanding 12-0 victory over Singapore, another display of attacking fluidity and clinical execution. By the end of the group stage, Navneet and Mumtaz had scored five goals each, putting them among the top scorers of the tournament.
These results mean India enter the Super4s not only unbeaten but brimming with confidence and momentum.
Unlike the pools, the Super4s stage is unforgiving. Four teams India, Korea, China, and Japan will face each other once, with the top two advancing to the Final and the other two contesting the 3rd/4th playoff.
India’s schedule is demanding: Korea on 10 September, China on 11 September, and Japan on 13 September. The compressed nature of the fixtures means recovery, squad rotation, and discipline will be as critical as skill.
The stakes are clear: a single slip could be the difference between playing for gold or settling for the bronze medal match.
First Hurdle: Familiar Rivals in Korea
India’s opening Super4s clash comes against Korea, a side with pedigree in Asian hockey but one India have fared well against recently. In their last five meetings, India have won three times, Korea once, with one match ending in a draw.
That record gives India a psychological edge, but Korea’s discipline and defensive organisation make them a tricky opponent. They reached the Super4s after two wins and one loss in their pool, showing enough consistency to be taken seriously.
A strong result against Korea will be crucial for India it will not only provide early points in the standings but also set the tone for the tougher matches against China and Japan that follow.
Key Players for India
India’s success so far has rested on a blend of individual brilliance and collective balance.
•Navneet Kaur: With five goals already, her sharpness in front of goal has been a defining feature of India’s pool-stage dominance.
•Mumtaz Khan: Another five-goal scorer, she has combined pace with finishing instinct to torment opposition defences.
•Vandana Katariya: A senior presence, her experience and movement remain invaluable, especially in high-pressure games.
This mix of youth and experience has allowed India to stay balanced between flair and discipline.
Head coach Harendra Singh praised the team’s start but stressed the need to remain grounded as the competition intensifies.
“We are pleased with the way the team has started the tournament. The players have shown good intent, maintained discipline, and capitalised on our attacking opportunities. The Pool stage gave us a good platform to build momentum and test ourselves against different styles of play. However, the Super4s stage will be a different challenge altogether as we face strong opponents like Korea, China, and Japan.”
Singh highlighted the importance of maintaining structure and defensive sharpness:
“Our focus will be on sticking to our structure, being sharp in defence, and making the most of our chances in front of goal. In this stage there is little room for error, so consistency and composure will be key. The players are motivated, they understand the responsibility of wearing the Indian jersey, and they are eager to continue the momentum. If we play to our potential and trust our process, I am confident we can achieve the results we are aiming for.”
For India, the Super4s is not just about reaching the Final it is about sustaining a culture of excellence in Asian hockey. Over the past few years, the women’s team has shown steady growth, mixing continental dominance with encouraging global performances. Success in Hangzhou would reinforce that upward trajectory.
A podium finish at the Asia Cup would also serve as a springboard for bigger targets, including the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. The Asia Cup offers a testing ground against continental heavyweights, and results here will directly influence confidence and preparation for global campaigns.
As the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 enters its decisive phase, India’s unbeaten women’s hockey team stands at the cusp of another breakthrough. The pool stage has shown their attacking depth, defensive resilience, and collective belief. Now comes the real test facing Korea, China, and Japan in quick succession, with little room for error.
With momentum on their side, a favourable recent record against Korea, and star forwards in top form, India have every reason to believe in their chances. But consistency, composure, and tactical discipline will decide whether they can carry their unbeaten run all the way to the podium.
The coming days in Hangzhou promise to define not just this tournament but also the larger trajectory of Indian women’s hockey.
