GUWAHATI: The Indian women’s hockey team won the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025–26 title after defeating hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the final at Auckland on Sunday, June 21, securing their return to the FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League next season.
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India took control of the match early, with Navneet Kaur opening the scoring in the fourth minute through a penalty corner conversion. Sunelita Toppo doubled India’s lead in the 15th minute by deflecting Deepika’s attempt from another penalty corner, giving India a comfortable advantage heading into the remainder of the contest.
The Indian side then produced a disciplined defensive performance to preserve the lead and deny New Zealand any comeback opportunities, eventually sealing the title with a clean-sheet victory.
Lalremsiami was named Player of the Match for the final, while Deepika finished as the tournament’s joint-highest scorer with six goals, sharing the honour with USA’s Ashley Sessa.
The triumph marked India’s second Women’s Nations Cup title after winning the inaugural edition in 2022.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, recording wins over the USA (3-2), Japan (2-1) and Uruguay (3-2) in Pool A before thrashing Chile 6-0 in the semi-final and overcoming New Zealand in the title clash.
During the final, New Zealand enjoyed more possession in the opening stages but India capitalised on their first major opportunity when Navneet converted from a penalty corner. India continued to threaten on transitions and extended their lead through Sunelita in the closing stages of the first quarter.
New Zealand attempted to fight back in the second half and earned a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter, but goalkeeper Savita made a crucial save to maintain India’s two-goal cushion.
Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.