India and New Zealand have booked their places in the final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2026 after winning their respective semi-finals in Auckland on Friday, moving one step closer to securing qualification for the FIH Hockey Pro League.
According to a report by Hockey New Zealand, India produced a commanding display in the first semi-final, thrashing Chile 6-0 in a one-sided contest. The world No. 9 side raced to a 4-0 lead by halftime through braces from Navneet Kaur and Deepika, overwhelming Chile with relentless pace and pressure.
India continued to dominate after the break, with Neha adding a fifth goal before Rutuja Dadaso Pisal completed the scoring. The comprehensive victory sends India into the title decider full of confidence.
Captain Salima Tete, who was named Player of the Match, praised her side’s finishing.
“I am very happy with the performance today. We finally scored many goals, converting our chances, and that has been important for us. For tomorrow in the final, we will aim to continue converting our chances and score more goals, then I am sure we can win,” as quoted by Hockey New Zealand.
The second semi-final proved far more dramatic, with hosts New Zealand edging the United States in a shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.
The Americans controlled much of the first half but were repeatedly denied by New Zealand goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon. The USA eventually broke the deadlock from a penalty corner in the second half, only for Hannah Cotter to equalise for the Black Sticks after a sustained attacking spell.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to a shootout. O’Hanlon once again proved decisive, saving two American attempts as New Zealand secured a 4-1 shootout victory.
Named Player of the Match, O’Hanlon acknowledged the challenge posed by the USA.
“The USA are a little bit of our bogey team, they are so fit, they are such athletes, so really happy we could get the win even if it was scrappy, that is what we had to do, and we got it done,” Hockey New Zealand has quoted.
Earlier in the day, Japan defeated France 3-1 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw to advance to the fifth-place playoff. Japanese captain Amiru Shimada said, “Shoot-outs are always nerve-wracking, but I am the captain of the team, and I need to be confident. I am very happy the team was able to come away with the win in the shoot-outs,” as quoted by Hockey New Zealand.
Korea also secured a place in the fifth-place match after defeating Uruguay 2-1. Despite the loss, Uruguay's Manuela Vilar remained focused on the final day of competition.
“Not happy with the result. We played well but couldn’t finish our chances. Tomorrow it’s France we are up against, and we will focus on our finishing and hopefully close out the event with a win,” Hockey New Zealand has quoted.
India will now face New Zealand in Sunday's final, with both teams aiming to lift the Nations Cup trophy and secure promotion to the FIH Hockey Pro League.