India overwhelmed Italy for a best-ever 5-1 win in its final Pool B match at the Olympic Qualifiers on Tuesday to finish second in its group, qualifying for the semifinals, and keeping its hopes of an Olympic ticket alive. Up next will be Germany for a spot in the final.
Needing only a draw after USA beat New Zealand 1-0 to top with nine points, India started much the same way it did against New Zealand, Salima Tete earning a penalty corner 38 seconds into the game and Udita making no mistake. But Italy tightened its defence to defuse every Indian attack thereafter, stretching the flanks to move ahead.
The last time the two teams faced off with an Olympic ticket on the line was in 2012, also played in India, when the host edged past Italy 1-0. And the last time they played at the 2018 World Cup, India won 3-0.
