A resilient Indian women’s hockey team, just one win from securing a Paris Olympics berth, will need to produce its ‘A’ game against higher-ranked Germany in the semi-finals of the FIH Olympic Qualifier here on Thursday.

The Indians, ranked sixth, bounced back from a 0-1 loss to the USA in their tournament-opener to outclass New Zealand and Italy to seal their semi-final spot as the second-placed team from Pool B.

It was a near-perfect performance in the last two matches and the Savita Punia-led side would look to continue the same way in the business end of the tournament.

The top three teams from here will qualify for this year’s Olympics and a win on Thursday will guarantee India a ticket to Paris.

In case they fail to do so, the Indians will get another shot in the third-fourth place match against the other losing semi-finalists on Friday.

But the home side needs to approach the match against the fifth-ranked Germany with a positive mindset.

The best aspect of India’s performance in the last two matches was their backline. The defence, led by Savita and comprising Udita, Monika and Nikki Pradhan, didn’t put a foot wrong in the last two matches.

The midfield too has been resourceful. Salima Tete has been phenomenal with her quick running, along with Neha Goyal. The two combined well to create chances for the forwardline.

Penalty corner conversion has been a thorny issue for the Indians but in the last match against Italy, Udita Duhan, playing her 100th international, came as a saviour for India, converting two set pieces with her trademark slap shots.

But Udita alone won’t be enough for India against a strong side like Germany.

“Udita is at par with her skill. But we need more variation from penalty
corners,” coach Janneke Schopman said.