Nations Cup Women Final: India clinched the FIH Women’s Nations Cup title by defeating Spain 1-0 in the final here on Saturday. With this, India has confirmed its place in the 2023-24 Pro League. Gurjit Kaur converted a penalty corner in the sixth minute which proved to be the deciding factor. The Commonwealth Games bronze medalists ended their campaign in the 8-nation tournament with five consecutive wins. Coach Yanke Schoepmann’s side beat Ireland 2-1 in a shootout in the semi-finals here on Friday.
Amazing women’s team
Gurjit Kaur scored the most important goal in the sixth minute from a penalty corner as the Commonwealth Games bronze medalists ended the eight-nation tournament with five wins in a row. Coach Janke Schoepmann’s side beat Ireland 2-1 in a shootout in the semi-finals on Friday. India was ranked below Spain (seventh) in the FIH charts. By virtue of winning the Nations Cup, the Indian team has been promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League, a crucial event ahead of next year’s Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Congratulations to the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for winning Gold in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2022 and for qualifying in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24.
We are proud #TeamBlue 💙#IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #FIHNationsCup @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/sku6mMjw6t
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 17, 2022
Lead at half time
Spain were the first to earn a penalty corner but Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia made a brilliant save. India earned their first penalty corner in the sixth minute and converted it to take the lead. Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur sent the ball past Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez to the left of the goal post. India played brilliantly at the beginning of the second quarter. Lalremsiami earned a PC for the team but this time Gurjeet could not beat the goalkeeper with her drag-flick. India was ahead 1-0 till half time.
Hockey India gave big prize
Hockey India announced Rs 2 lakh to each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff for winning the tournament. India and Spain played in the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League 2021-22 season as replacement teams following the pull-out by Australia and New Zealand due to coronavirus related issues. A creditable third place was achieved in the Pro League that year.
