Women’s Asia Cup 2025: India Women's Hockey will Play Thailand in the Asia Cup Opener

Asia Cup Campaign for the Indian women’s hockey team will begin on September 5 against Thailand, followed by matches against Singapore and Japan, the reigning champions.

From September 5–14, 2025, Hangzhou, China, will host the competition. Team India will seek for the top podium result this time around after winning the bronze in the last competition.

As the Asia Cup champions automatically qualify for the famous quadrennial event, winning not only earns continental honors but also ensures a direct qualification to the 2026 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup.

“Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament,” India captain Salima Tete said.

“Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 women’s FIH Hockey World Cup.”

India had won the Asia Cup in 2017 after defeating China in the championship match.

Each club will play one match against each of the other three teams in the Super 4s Pool, which is where the top two teams from each pool will go, per the rules.

Third and fourth place teams will play in the 3rd/4th place match, while the top two teams from the Super 4s Pool will advance to the final.

The tournament’s fifth through eighth spots will be decided by classification matches between the bottom two teams from Pools A and B.