India captured its first FIH Women’s Nation’s Cup title with a 1–0 victory over Spain in the summit encounter.
The victory confirmed India’s place in the 2023-24 Pro League. Gurjit Kaur scored the all-important goal in the sixth
minute from the penalty corner as the Commonwealth Games bronze medalists closed the eight-nation tournament with five wins on the trot.
Captain, leader, legend! An emotional one @savitahockey discusses her team’s heroic effort in winning the inaugural #FIHNationsCup and qualification for the 2023-24 season of the #FIHProLeague! @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/nK97k8AJXa
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 17, 2022
The team coached by Janneke Schopman had defeated Ireland 2-1 via a shootout in the semi-finals. India was one spot below Spain (seventh) in the FIH chart. Thanks to winning the Nations Cup, the Indian team has been promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League, a key event ahead of next year’s Asian Games and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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PremiumIndia and Spain played in the 2021-22 FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League season as replacement teams following withdrawals by Australia and New Zealand due to COVID-19 related issues. India had finished a creditable third place in the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. The country has failed to qualify for the ongoing 2022/23 Pro League season.