Finance
On Monday, the Indian women’s hockey team won the inaugural Women’s Hockey5s Asia Cup, defeating Thailand 7-2. India secured a berth in the Women’s Hockey 5s World Cup 2024, with the event acting as Asia’s qualifying competition.
India also qualified for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024 by winning the Elite Group.
India’s goals came from Mariana Kujur (2′, 8′), Monika Dipi Toppo (7′), Jyoti (10′, 27′), Navjot Kaur (23′), and Mahima Choudhary (29′). Kunjira Inpa (5′) and Sanpoung Kornkanok (5′) scored for Thailand.
India made an aggressive start in the first half, with Mariana Kujur (2′) scoring a superb field goal to give India the lead.
Thailand, on the other hand, scored two fast goals through Kunjira Inpa (5′) and Sanpoung Kornkanok (5′) to put India on the back foot.
India promptly reacted, with the in-form Monika Dipi Toppo (7′) making a wonderful penetration and scoring a fine field goal to tie the scores.
Mariana Kujur’s stroke (8′) then gave India the lead. Jyoti (10′) increased India’s lead to 4-2 with four minutes remaining in the first half. At the completion of the first half, India had a 4-point advantage against Thailand.
A tense second half began with a charged-up India continued to play with pace and precision, continuously putting Thailand’s defense to the test. Their efforts were rewarded when skipper Navjot Kaur (23′) scored a fifth goal.
Jyoti added another goal with three minutes remaining to make it 6-2, and Mahima Choudhary made it 7-2, clinching an excellent triumph for the Indian side.
Hockey India awarded Rs 2 lakh to each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff member for their victory and outstanding performance.
Congratulating the team on qualifying for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024, Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “I congratulate the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for an excellent outing and qualifying for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024. This was a brilliant team effort by everyone involved and I wish the team the best of luck for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024.”
Hockey India Secretary-General Bhola Nath Singh said, “Huge congratulations to the Indian Women’s Hockey Team on winning the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier and subsequently qualifying for the next year’s World Cup. You have made the entire country proud. It has been an exciting tournament and all the efforts and training over the past few months have paid off with this win.”
Source:IANS
