"We fought as a team till the last second, and got the win."
If there's a one-line summary for India's terrific victory over Spain in the final of the FIH Women's Nations Cup, this is it. Neha Goyal couldn't have said it better.
After having taken a 1-0 lead early on, India defended as a unit, under immense pressure from Spain. They held on to become champions. As a result, they will now play the FIH Pro League next season... along with the world's best teams.
Gurjit Kaur steps up big time
At some point in their previous match, Gurjit Kaur had rediscovered her mojo. She didn't score any goals against Ireland in the semifinals but she was hitting her penalty corners with a power and accuracy that she had seemingly deserted her over the past few months. If not for the brilliant Elizabeth Murphy in goal, Gurjit would've had a few goals to her name too.
Against Spain, India won their first penalty corner in the fifth minute of the game. A chance to make an early impact. With Gurjit's poor form and a lack of proper overall penalty corner execution had been a big problem for this team. But Gurjit showed her powers were well and truly back with a superb conversion. Everything was spot on with the penalty corner. The injection, the trap and Gurjit's shot -- to the goalkeeper's left and with so much power that the player on the line had no chance with the stick.
India had missed this, for a long time. They do well to create multiple penalty corners in a match but the execution has not always been there. In a match as important as this, an early goal makes such a huge difference.
That winning feeling for @thehockeyindia ������
Inside India's bench for those final seconds and then the on-pitch celebrations �� #Pitchside
Watch all the highlights on the @watchdothockey app �� pic.twitter.com/VQjWWTviTZ
- International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 17, 2022
Gurjit got another opportunity in the second quarter and once again, her shot was on target. This time, though, it was saved.
After scoring the opening goal, India organised themselves at the back. Spain tried to play to their strengths, passing quickly through the middle but India's structure didn't break down.
Spain up the ante, but India hold on
Despite having the ball for most of the first half, Spain were not doing enough to test Savita Punia. It was expected that they would come out all guns blazing in the second half, and that's what they did.
Winning the ball in the midfield with their physicality, Spain penetrated the circle and threatened to score the equaliser. They found the back of the net in the third quarter when Lucia Jimenez pounced on a rebound and beat Savita -- but it didn't stand as the ball was deemed not to have travelled 5m before it was brought into the circle.
The pressure only increased in the final quarter.
Spain once again had the ball inside the net but again it was not counted -- this time because it had hit the back of the Spanish attacker before rolling into the goal. Spain were getting close but Indian players time and again came up with crucial tackles. Savita's excellent reflexes saved India twice.
Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Neha, Nisha and Monika don't usually come into the limelight, but they were immense on the night with their tracking and defensive diligence.
As the final hooter rang, Indian players jumped in joy. They had ended the year on a high. They hadn't had a great World Cup, finishing ninth. They had lost a close semifinal against Australia in the Commonwealth Games, finishing with a bronze after beating New Zealand. It had not been a smooth ride: 2022 had also seen Rani Rampal losing her place in the team.
Head coach Janneke Schopman, though, stuck to her ways and got a much-needed boost with this deserved FIH Nations Cup triumph. There's no doubt now that this team belongs among the best.