India won the first FIH Women’s Nation’s Cup by defeating Spain 1-0 in Saturday’s summit match in Valencia. This victory ensured India’s Pro League participation in 2023 and 2024. The crucial goal that Gurjit Kaur scored in the sixth minute from a penalty corner gave the Commonwealth Games bronze medalists five wins in a row at the conclusion of the eight-nation competition. The team coached by Janneke Schopman had defeated Ireland by a shootout 2-1 in the semifinals here on Friday.
India finished seventh in the FIH rankings, one spot ahead of Spain. As a result of winning the Nations Cup, the Indian team has been elevated to the 2023–2024 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League. Before the Asian Games and the Paris Olympics in 2024, this is a crucial competition.
Savita Punia, India’s captain and goalkeeper, made an excellent stop on Spain’s first penalty corner. India won their first penalty corner in the sixth minute and converted it to take the lead. Gurjit Kaur, a drag flicker, sent the ball to Clara Perez’s left side, beating the Spanish goalkeeper.
India performed admirably at the start of the subsequent quarter. The group got a PC from Lalremsiami, however this time Gurjit couldn’t defeat the goalkeeper with her drag-flick.
After regrouping and conducting multiple raids on the Indian circle, Spain scored at the halfway point of the second quarter. However, Savita stood tall in front of the goal, preventing the home team from scoring. India led 1-0 at the end of the first half.
At the point when Lucia Jimenez put the ball toward the rear of the net, Spain’s splendid belonging control and brilliant ball pivot in India’s half almost paid off. The goal was disallowed because the ball didn’t go five meters outside India’s circle after Spain was given a free hit.
In the final quarter, both teams engaged in exciting competition. Ten minutes before the final whistle, Spain won a penalty kick after exerting a lot of pressure for their first goal. The Indian defense, on the other hand, held firm and prevented the ball from reaching their net. Salima Tete could have scored in the opposing half, but she couldn’t beat Clara Perez with a tomahawk.
As a result, Spain scored a PC late in the quarter, but Savita jumped to her right to protect herself. Hockey India offered Rs 2 lakh to each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff member for winning the tournament.
India and Spain participated as replacement teams after Australia and New Zealand withdrew from the FIH women’s hockey pro league 2021-22 season due to COVID-19-related issues.
India had finished in a respectable third place in the FIH Pro League for 2021–22. For the upcoming 2022-23 season, the nation has not been accepted into the Pro League.