Hockey World Cup Qualifiers: India face Italy test

HYDERABAD: Having realised their main objective of qualifying for the World Cup, India now focus on emerging triumphant in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers.The hosts, who topped Pool B ahead of Scotland on goal difference, will face Italy in the semifinals at the Gachibowli stadium on Friday. Pool A toppers England take on Scotland in the other semifinal clash. As Chile, Austria and Ireland have secured the three direct qualification spots, while world No.15 Japan finished fourth in the Santiago leg, India, who are ranked No.9, have already punched their World Cup ticket by storming into the semifinals. The highest-ranked fourth-placed team from these two legs will automatically qualify for the World Cup.With the burden of qualification off their minds, the Indians are keen to give their best against Italy, who finished second behind England in Pool A. India will once again look to their star forward Navneet Kaur.