Continuing its impressive run of form, India defeated host New Zealand 2-0 in the final to win its second FIH Women’s Nations Cup title and secured promotion to the FIH Women’s Pro League on Sunday.
Navneet Kaur (4’) gave India the early lead before Sunelita Toppo (15’) doubled India’s advantage.
The team produced a stellar defensive display to protect its lead and win the title, which also marked a return to the Pro League next season.
Lalremsiami won the ‘Player of the Match’ award in the final, while Deepika finished as the joint-top scorer in the tournament with six goals to her name – sharing the honours with USA’s Ashley Sessa.
This is India’s second Nations Cup title, having won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2022.
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India remained unbeaten throughout its campaign, defeating USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2) in the Pool A matches, before registering a commanding 6-0 win over Chile in the semi-final.
To recognise the teams’ achievements, Hockey India announced a cash award of Rs. 3 lakh for each player and Rs. 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
In the title match, the host enjoyed the majority of possession in the early exchanges as it looked to make early inroads. However, the visitor manufactured the first meaningful opportunity of the game when Navneet won a Penalty Corner (PC).
She converted from the set-piece with a thunderous hit in the fourth minute, putting India in front.
India was exceptional in transition, causing all sorts of problems for New Zealand’s defence with its intensity.
It doubled the advantage through its fifth penalty corner of the opening quarter, with Sunelita deflecting a sharp attempt from Deepika, handing India a 2-0 lead in the 15th minute.
India remained resolute in the third quarter, putting up a remarkable defensive display that kept the hosts at bay.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
India remained resolute in the third quarter, putting up a remarkable defensive display that kept the hosts at bay.
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
India was disciplined in the second quarter, while New Zealand began to grow into the game as it looked to claw back. The visitor too had a couple of opportunities to extend its lead.
However, neither side could find the back of the net, resulting in India holding onto its two-goal advantage at half-time.
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India remained resolute in the third quarter, putting up a remarkable defensive display that kept the hosts at bay and denied them any clear goal-scoring opportunity.
With its high intensity, the visitor forced a mistake from the New Zealand defence, but Navneet’s reverse hit was saved by the goalkeeper.
New Zealand earned a PC in the opening exchanges of the fourth quarter.
The resulting set-piece, however, was saved by Savita. The visitor remained superb in maintaining a tight defensive structure and eventually secured a 2-0 win to clinch the title.
Published on Jun 22, 2026
