The year 2022 was glorious for the Indian women hockey team as they had claimed a medal in Birmingham Commonwealth Game (CWG) after a 16-year-long time wait.
The Indian women’s hockey team had won a Bronze Medal in the CWG final game against New Zealand. The women in blue had defeated the Kiwis by 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out. (Read Also: Hockey India gets Tata Steel Sponsorship)
Men’s team had also won a medal (Silver) in the competition.
Towards the end of the year, the women showed that the CWG bronze was not a part of fate as they continued their winning rage under Dutch coach Janneke Schopman, defeating Spain 1-0 win to the inaugural FIH Nations Cup in Valencia and qualify for 2023-24 FIH Pro League.
The Indian women team proved that they were no pushovers anymore in world hockey, as they remained unbeaten in the Nations Cup, putting up brilliant performances to reclaim their Pro League spot.
Not only this, the women had finished a credible third in their debut Pro League season in 2021-22 but failed to qualify for the 2022-23 season.
So, we can say that the year started on a bright note for the Indian women hockey team. They finished third in the Asia Cup, beating China 2-0 in the bronze-medal match.
Coming to their CWG 2022 final match against 2018 Gold Coast CWG champions New Zealand, Salima Tete (29′) had scored the goal for India in the regulation time, only for Olivia Merry (60′) to scored a late goal for New Zealand and push the match to a shootout.
Savita had made three sensational saves in the shootout, while Sonika and Navneet Kaur struck past Kiwi goalkeeper Grace O’Hanlon as India had pulled off a thrilling 2-1 shootout win after a 1-1 scoreline in regulation time.
India had began cautiously, holding the ball in the midfield. Navneet Kaur and Vandana Katariya penetrated the circle in the early minutes, but New Zealand’s defense cleared away the danger. Nisha made a solid save after Rose Tynan made a dangerous pass inside the circle. Salima Tete almost put her team in the lead after India forced their way into the Kiwi circle through the central channel, but her shot just went wide and the first quarter ended with both teams at 0-0. With the win, Indian women’s hockey team had ended their 16-year wait for a medal in the Commonwealth games.
