The Indian Women’s Hockey Team returned home with more than just a trophy from Auckland. They brought back renewed confidence, international recognition, and a place in the next season of the FIH Pro League after clinching the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup title with a commanding 2-0 victory over hosts New Zealand in the final.
Leading the celebrations was captain Salima Tete, who credited the team’s unwavering focus and collective belief for the historic achievement. Reflecting on the successful campaign, the skipper emphasized that the squad entered the tournament with one clear objective—to bring the trophy home—and never lost sight of that goal throughout the competition.
A Perfect Campaign Ends in Glory
India enjoyed an unbeaten run during the tournament, showcasing consistency and resilience from the group stage to the final. The team registered victories over the United States, Japan, and Uruguay in the pool stage before producing a dominant 6-0 win against Chile in the semi-final. They then capped off the tournament with a clinical 2-0 triumph over New Zealand in the title clash.
India’s Results at the FIH Women’s Nations Cup
India 4-0 USA
India 2-1 Japan
India 3-2 Uruguay
Semi-final: India 6-0 Chile
Final: India 2-0 New Zealand
In the final, India struck early through Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo, putting the hosts under pressure and maintaining control for the remainder of the contest. The victory secured India’s second Women’s Nations Cup title and earned promotion to the prestigious FIH Pro League.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne Praises Team Character
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne lauded the players for their discipline, composure, and commitment throughout the tournament. The Dutch coach highlighted that the title was a reward for the hard work the squad has invested over recent months and believes the success will provide a significant confidence boost ahead of future international assignments, including preparations for major global events.
A Major Step Towards Bigger Goals
Beyond the silverware, the triumph carries greater significance as it returns India to the FIH Pro League, where the world’s best teams compete regularly. The promotion is expected to provide valuable exposure and high-quality match experience as India continues its preparations for upcoming international competitions.
Recognising the achievement, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff.
Statement of Intent
After a challenging period in recent years, the Nations Cup triumph signals a positive turnaround for Indian women’s hockey. Under Salima Tete’s leadership, the team demonstrated maturity, attacking flair, and defensive solidity, all of which were on display during their unbeaten run in Auckland.
With the trophy secured and Pro League qualification achieved, India now shifts its focus towards building on this momentum and competing consistently among the world’s elite.
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