India kept its Olympic qualification dreams alive by beating lower-ranked Italy in a shoot-out in a classification match of the women’s Hockey World League Semifinals at the KHC Dragons Stadium, here on Thursday.
The Indian women, ranked 13 in the world, prevailed 5-4 over world rank 16 Italy in the shoot-out of the first play-off match for the fifth to eighth positions, after both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of the regulation 60 minutes.
India failed to capitalise on numerous opportunities during the regulation time.
The ensuing shoot-out also failed to break the deadlock as both the teams scored four times each from their five shots and the contest went to sudden-death.
In sudden-death, Rani Rampal shot on target before goalkeeper Savita brought off a fine save against Giuliana Ruggieri to spark celebrations in the Indian camp.
Rani Rampal had earlier scored the equaliser for India in the 33rd minute after Italy opened the scoring against the run of play in the ninth minute of the contest.
In the shoot-out, experienced striker Vandana Katariya muffed her attempt while Navjot Kaur, Anuradha Thokchom, Rani Rampal and Deepika scored for India. For Italy, Valentina Braconi, Marcela Casale, Guiliana Ruggieri and Chiara Tiddi shot on target but Dalila Mirabella was denied by the Indian custodian.
The victory takes India into the play-off for the fifth and sixth spot on Saturday, where it will face the winner of the another classification contest between hosts Belgium and Japan.
Three Olympic spots are on offer in this tournament, but even some teams not advancing to the semifinals are likely to qualify as five continental champions might have already booked a ticket to Rio de Janeiro.
Jasjit does it for India Late on Wednesday, Jasjit Singh sent two rasping penalty corner drag flicks into the net as India edged past Malaysia 3-2 to move into the semifinals.
India was lifted by the two successive penalty corner conversions from Jasjit in the 48th and 55th minutes to avenge its loss to the Malaysians by a similar margin in the Azlan Shah Cup two months ago.
The results:
Women: India 1 (Rani Rampal 28) drew with Italy 1 (Elisabetta Pacella 14); India won 5-4 via sudden-death.
On Wednesday: Men: India 3 (Satbir Singh 3, Jasjit Singh 48, 55) bt Malaysia 2 (Razie Rahim 15, Shahril Saabah, 23).
