FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022: India shows nerves of steel to defeat Spain 1-0 in the Final

Big boost to Indian eves

Indian remained undefeated during the tournament and also got promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League. India’s drag flick specialist Gurjit Kaur (6′) scored the only goal in the Final.

It was Spain with the first pushback of the Final, after which both sides looked to control possession, with the home team winning an early PC. Indian Captain and Goalkeeper Savita made an excellent save before her team earned their first PC of the match. Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur went to the left side of the Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez and managed to beat her to put India ahead in the first quarter.

Early Penalty Corner for India in 2nd quarter

India played brilliantly at the start of the second quarter to break the Spanish press as Lalremsiami earned a PC for the team but this time Gurjit Kaur could not manage to beat the goalkeeper with her drag-flick.

Spaniards kept attacking in the Indian circle

Spain soon regrouped and made several entries in the Indian circle before earning a PC at the halfway stage of the second quarter. However, Spain failed to find the back of the net as Savita stood tall in front of the goal to keep India ahead at the end of halftime.

Spain began the second half aggressively in search of an equaliser and Savita came off the lines to make a fine save. India got a chance to score their second goal of the match after they earned a PC. The Spanish goalkeeper was alert and dived to the right of the goalpost to keep her team in the game.

Free-hit to Spain

Spain controlled the possession brilliantly and showed excellent ball rotation in India’s half and it nearly paid off when Lucia Jimenez put the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed as the ball did not travel five meters outside India’s circle after the umpire gave a free hit to Spain.

The final quarter saw exciting action between both teams. Spain pressed high in search of their first goal and earned a PC 10 minutes before the full-time whistle. However, the Indian defence stood firm and kept the ball away from their net.

Savita continued to impress

Salima Tete found herself in a goal-scoring position in the opposition half but she failed to beat Clara Perez with a tomahawk. Spain, then, earned a PC late in the quarter before Savita dived to her right to make an excellent save and India won the Final by a goal difference.

HI announces reward for India Women

Hockey India has also announced Rs 2 Lakhs for each player & Rs 1 Lakh for each support staff of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team that won the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022.