“We worked very hard for this as a team,” says Indian women’s hockey team captain Savita Punia after winning the Nations Cup

The Indian Women’s Hockey continue to prove themselves as they recently won the the FIH Women’s Nations Cup and gained straight promotion to the Hockey Pro League for the next season.

The Indian Eves defeated tournament hosts Spain in the finals and clinched the trophy and the qualification. The Pro League will help them in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games and Paris Olympics in 2024.

The Indian women’s team led by their goalkeeper Savita Punja had a flawless tournament as they were undefeated throughout. It is a big confidence booster for the Indian eves and also Savita as a leader.

After winning the Nations Cup, Savita shared her thoughts to The Bridge as she said, “I am very happy and thrilled. As a team, we have worked hard and everybody turned up when needed. We functioned as a unit off the field and on the field. It is a great feeling to win this trophy and qualify for the FIH Pro League.”

India started their campaign with a comfortable win over Chile and then followed it up with two more wins against Japan and South Africa in the group stage. Due to their dominant displays they finished at the top of Pool B.

They faced a very stern Ireland team in the semifinals. The game ended 1-1 after normal time as we headed to the penalty shootout where Savita Punia showed her class as she only allowed one goal in the entire shootout. She has been in brilliant form over the last year or so and she replicated that at the big stage of the Nations Cup.

“I was not under pressure at all. I was confident as we have faced such situations before also. We could have won the game in normal time only but the Irish team fought hard. Our conversations were about winning the game even if it goes to the shootout. The team was confident as a unit with everyone believing the takers and goalkeeper also (laughs),” She replied when asked about the action packed penalty shootout.

India then faced the hosts Spain in the finals and it was Gurjit Kaur who stepped up this time as she scored the only goal in the game from a penalty corner.