Tournament begins in Hangzhou
India vs Thailand to Kick Off Women’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025: The Indian women’s hockey team is stepping into the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 with high expectations. The action begins on September 5, and the opening match pits India against Thailand at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park in Hangzhou, China. This venue is no stranger to international tournaments and will witness some intense matchups this September.
India is grouped in Pool B, which includes Japan (defending champions), Thailand, and Singapore. This setup guarantees that India won’t have an easy path, but it’s also a golden opportunity to shine on the continental stage.
A chance to qualify for the World Cup
This isn’t just another tournament. The Asia Cup 2025 acts as a direct qualifier for the 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup. A top finish here means no extra qualifiers, no second chances—just a straight ticket to the world’s biggest stage.
India will face Thailand on September 5, Japan on September 6, and Singapore on September 8. The clash against Japan is expected to be the toughest, considering their defending champion status.
Team speaks with confidence
Team captain Salima Tete has shown strong belief in the squad. She mentioned that facing top teams early on gives India a great platform to sharpen their game. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur added that the squad has been training hard to deal with pressure games, especially high-stakes matches like the one against Japan.
The team’s focus is clear: win the Asia Cup and grab the World Cup spot.
Looking back at India’s past
India has a solid history in this tournament. The team lifted the Asia Cup title in 2017, beating China in the final. In the last edition, they bagged the bronze medal, proving that they’ve been consistent contenders in recent years.
This year, the aim is to go a step further—to bring the cup home again and prove India’s growing power in international women’s hockey.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Topic | Detail |
Event | Women’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 |
Dates | September 5–14, 2025 |
Venue | Gongshu Canal Sports Park, Hangzhou, China |
Organizing Body | Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) |
India’s Pool B Opponents | Japan, Thailand, Singapore |
Captain | Salima Tete |
Vice-Captain | Navneet Kaur |
India’s Past Title Win | 2017 – Defeated China in the final |
Last Edition Result | Bronze Medal |
Significance | Qualifier for 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup |
India’s Matches | Sept 5 – vs ThailandSept 6 – vs JapanSept 8 – vs Singapore |
Static GK Fact | The FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland |