India clinched the inaugural FIH Women’s Nation’s Cup title with a 1-0 win over Spain within the summit conflict, in Valencia on Saturday. The win sealed India’s berth within the 2023-24 Pro League. Gurjit Kaur scored the all-important purpose within the sixth minute from the penalty nook because the Commonwealth Games bronze medalists ended the eight-nation event with 5 wins on the trot. The Janneke Schopman-coached facet had overwhelmed Ireland 2-1 through shootout within the semifinals right here on Friday.

India had been ranked a spot under Spain (seventh) within the FIH chart.

By advantage of successful the Nations Cup, the Indian workforce has been promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League, a key occasion forward of subsequent 12 months’s Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics.

It was Spain who first earned an early penalty nook however Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia made a superb save.

India earned their first penalty nook within the sixth minute and transformed it to take the lead.

Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur despatched the ball to the left facet of the Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez and managed to beat her.

India performed brilliantly firstly of the second quarter.

Lalremsiami earned a PC for the workforce however this time Gurjit couldn’t handle to beat the goalkeeper together with her drag-flick.

Spain quickly regrouped and made a number of raids on the Indian circle earlier than incomes a PC on the midway stage of the second quarter.

However, the house facet failed to seek out the again of the online as Savita stood tall in entrance of the purpose. India had been 1-0 up on the finish of half time.

Spain started the second half aggressively looking for an equaliser and Savita got here off the traces to make a positive save.

India received an opportunity to attain their second purpose of the match after they earned a PC however the Spanish goalkeeper was alert and dived to the fitting of the goalpost to maintain her workforce within the recreation.

Spain managed the possession brilliantly and confirmed wonderful ball rotation in India’s half and it practically paid off when Lucia Jimenez put the ball at the back of the online.

However, the purpose was disallowed because the ball didn’t journey 5 meters outdoors India’s circle after the umpire gave a free hit to Spain.

The remaining quarter noticed thrilling motion between each groups. Spain pressed excessive looking for their first purpose and earned a PC 10 minutes earlier than the complete time whistle.

However, the Indian defence stood agency and stored the ball away from their internet.

Salima Tete discovered herself in a goal-scoring place within the opposition half however she did not beat Clara Perez with a tomahawk.

Spain, then, earned a PC late within the quarter however Savita dived to her proper to make a superb save.

Hockey India introduced Rs 2 lakh for every participant and Rs 1 lakh for every assist employees for successful the event.

India and Spain had performed within the FIH ladies’s Hockey Pro League 2021-22 season as substitute groups after pull-outs by Australia and New Zealand as a result of COVID-19 associated points.

India had completed a creditable third within the 2021-22 FIH Pro League. The nation has not certified for the continuing 2022-23 Pro League season.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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