Auckland [New Zealand], 21 June (ANI): The Indian Women’s Hockey Team was topped champion of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 after defeating the hosts 2-0 within the closing at Auckland on Sunday.
Navneet Kaur (4′) gave India the early lead earlier than Sunelita Toppo (15′) doubled India’s benefit. The group produced a stellar defensive show to guard their lead and win the title, which additionally marked their return to the FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League subsequent season, based on a press launch.
Lalremsiami received the ‘Player of the Match’ award within the closing, whereas Deepika completed because the joint-top scorer within the match with six objectives to her identify – sharing the honours with USA’s Ashley Sessa.
This is India’s second Nations Cup title, having received the inaugural version of the match in 2022.
India remained unbeaten all through their marketing campaign, defeating USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2) within the Pool A matches, earlier than registering a commanding 6-0 win over Chile within the semi-final. They delivered a superb efficiency within the closing to clinch the title with a 2-0 victory over New Zealand.
To recognise the groups’ achievements, Hockey India introduced a money award of INR 3 lakh for every participant and INR 1.5 lakh for every member of the assist employees.
In the title match on Sunday, the hosts loved the vast majority of possession within the early exchanges as they appeared to make early inroads. However, the guests manufactured the primary significant alternative of the sport when Navneet received a penalty nook. She transformed from the set-piece with a thunderous hit within the 4th minute, placing India in entrance.
India have been distinctive in transition, inflicting all kinds of issues for New Zealand’s defence with their depth. They doubled their benefit via their fifth penalty nook of the opening quarter, with Sunelita Toppo deflecting a pointy try from Deepika, handing India a 2-0 lead within the fifteenth minute.
India have been disciplined within the second quarter, whereas New Zealand started to develop into the sport as they appeared to claw again. The guests too had a few alternatives to increase their lead. However, neither aspect may discover the again of the web, leading to India holding onto their two-goal benefit at half-time.
India remained resolute within the third quarter, placing up a exceptional defensive show that saved the hosts at bay and denied them any clear goal-scoring alternative. With their excessive depth, the guests compelled a mistake from the New Zealand defence, however Navneet’s reverse hit was saved by the goalkeeper.
New Zealand earned a penalty nook within the opening exchanges of the fourth quarter. The ensuing set-piece, nonetheless, was saved by Savita – maintaining India’s two-goal lead intact. The guests remained very good in sustaining a decent defensive construction and ultimately secured a 2-0 win to clinch the title. (ANI)