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#Marijne #sharper #finishing #India #womens #team #seals #Pro #League #return">Marijne wants sharper finishing after India women’s team seals Pro League return Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has called for improved field-goal conversion despite his team’s successful return to the FIH Pro League after winning the Nations Cup.
India defeated host New Zealand 2-0 in Sunday’s final, courtesy of goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo, to clinch its second Nations Cup title and secure promotion to the Pro League.
“Of course, we are delighted to win our first tournament and final together,” Marijne said after the victory.
“It was crucial for us to learn how to win finals, especially after our recent heartbreak against England in the World Cup qualifier. The team improved with every match. We relied on a very strong and well-organised defence.”
The Dutch coach, however, said India’s finishing from open play still requires improvement.
“While we created enough opportunities to score more, that remains an area where we must keep working. Our penalty-corner conversion was very good throughout this tournament. If we can achieve a higher conversion rate for field goals, that will be fantastic.”
Marijne also acknowledged the challenge of entering the competition as the highest-ranked team.
“It is never easy to win a tournament when you enter as the highest-ranked team. We showed that we can manage that pressure well.
“Moving forward, playing against the top teams in the world will provide an important learning process for our youngsters. Testing ourselves at the highest level is exactly what we need to grow to the next tier.”
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating the USA, Japan and Uruguay in the group stage before overcoming Chile in the semifinal.
Striker Lalremsiami was named Player of the Final, while drag-flicker Deepika finished joint top scorer with six goals alongside USA’s Ashley Sessa.
Hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakh for each player and Rs. 1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff.
Team effort
Captain Salima Tete said the title was a reward for the team’s preparation.
“It feels absolutely amazing to lift this trophy. Our entire team worked incredibly hard for this moment. We entered this tournament with a clear mindset to bring the trophy home. Securing promotion back to the Pro League was extremely important for us. I am proud that we achieved our goal.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup in August, Salima added: “This victory provides a massive boost to our confidence. The team is playing with a very strong mindset right now. Every single match in this tournament was highly important for us. This win gives us the perfect momentum for our future preparations.”
Published on Jun 22, 2026
Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has called for improved field-goal conversion despite…
Sports news
#IND #ARG #India #Savita #boost #ahead #Argentina #tour #Salimas #services">IND vs ARG: India gets Savita boost ahead of Argentina tour but will miss Salima’s services
Star goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia will return to the national women’s hockey team after 10 months, but indisposed skipper Salima Tete will be missing from action when India takes on Argentina in the first game of the four-match series, here on Monday.
Savita has not competed since June 2025 as she took a break from the game due to personal reasons. Salima, a quality mid-fielder, is still recovering from a bout of chicken pox.
The tour will serve as the ideal preparation for India ahead of the FIH Nations Cup, the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, and the Asian Games later this year.
Ahead of the tour, the Indian women’s team trained in Bengaluru before departing for Argentina on Thursday evening.
Having finished runner-up at World Cup Qualifiers 2026 held in Hyderabad, the team will be looking to carry that momentum forward into the tour and the rest of the year.
Experienced forward Navneet Kaur will serve as the captain of the team during the tour in the absence of Salima. Navneet had recently won Hockey India’s Player of the Year award for her consistent performances. The return of veteran goalkeeper Savita will be a huge boost, with Bichu Devi Kharibam expected to share goalkeeping duties with her.
Having recently earned her 200th international cap, Nikki Pradhan will lead the way at the back alongside the vastly experienced Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam.
Sharing his thoughts on the tour, India chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “We are here with 23 players, who will all get the opportunity to showcase themselves. We will use this tour as an opportunity to play with different team combinations and find ways to win.”
“The big goal for me here is to see the individual and team performances against the number two-ranked side in the world.” The likes of Ishika Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan, Jyoti and Udita also add solidity to India’s back line. Lalthantluangi will also get the opportunity to prove her mettle after earning a call-up to the senior side.
ALSO READ | Tim White appointed coach of Indian junior women’s hockey team
With Salima missing from the line-up, Neha will be anchoring a young midfield unit alongside Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke and Sunelita Toppo.
The likes of Sakshi Rana, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika and Deepika Soreng, who have impressed at the senior level so far, will get the opportunity to make their mark and cement their place in the starting line-up.
Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, and Beauty Dungdung will provide attacking options as well. Mumtaz Khan also returns to the setup and can provide more goal scoring threat, with Annu also in the mix.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Star goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia will return to the national women’s hockey team after 10 months, but indisposed skipper Salima Tete will be missing from action when India takes on Argentina in the first game of the four-match series, here on Monday.
Savita has not competed since June 2025 as she took a break from the game due to personal reasons. Salima, a quality mid-fielder, is still recovering from a bout of chicken pox.
The tour will serve as the ideal preparation for India ahead of the FIH Nations Cup, the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026, and the Asian Games later this year.
Ahead of the tour, the Indian women’s team trained in Bengaluru before departing for Argentina on Thursday evening.
Having finished runner-up at World Cup Qualifiers 2026 held in Hyderabad, the team will be looking to carry that momentum forward into the tour and the rest of the year.
Experienced forward Navneet Kaur will serve as the captain of the team during the tour in the absence of Salima. Navneet had recently won Hockey India’s Player of the Year award for her consistent performances. The return of veteran goalkeeper Savita will be a huge boost, with Bichu Devi Kharibam expected to share goalkeeping duties with her.
Having recently earned her 200th international cap, Nikki Pradhan will lead the way at the back alongside the vastly experienced Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam.
Sharing his thoughts on the tour, India chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “We are here with 23 players, who will all get the opportunity to showcase themselves. We will use this tour as an opportunity to play with different team combinations and find ways to win.”
“The big goal for me here is to see the individual and team performances against the number two-ranked side in the world.” The likes of Ishika Chaudhary, Manisha Chauhan, Jyoti and Udita also add solidity to India’s back line. Lalthantluangi will also get the opportunity to prove her mettle after earning a call-up to the senior side.
ALSO READ | Tim White appointed coach of Indian junior women’s hockey team
With Salima missing from the line-up, Neha will be anchoring a young midfield unit alongside Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke and Sunelita Toppo.
The likes of Sakshi Rana, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Ishika and Deepika Soreng, who have impressed at the senior level so far, will get the opportunity to make their mark and cement their place in the starting line-up.
Baljeet Kaur, Deepika, and Beauty Dungdung will provide attacking options as well. Mumtaz Khan also returns to the setup and can provide more goal scoring threat, with Annu also in the mix.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Star goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia will return to the national women’s hockey team…
Sports news
#India #womens #tour #Argentina #Salima #Tete #pulls #illness #Navneet #Kaur #lead #side">India women’s tour of Argentina: Salima Tete pulls out with illness, Navneet Kaur to lead side
The Indian women’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on Thursday evening for Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it will take on the host in a four-match series from April 13 to 17.
Notably, captain Salima Tete is unable to travel with the team due to illness, and in her absence, experienced forward Navneet Kaur will lead the side as stand-in captain for the tour.
The tour is set to play a crucial role in India’s preparations for a packed international calendar ahead, including the FIH Women’s World Cup and the Asian Games.
ALSO READ | India Women’s tour of Argentina 2026 — Full squad, schedule, venue, timings
The squad has been training in Bengaluru over the past few weeks. The team heads into the series with confidence following a commendable runner-up finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Expressing her thoughts ahead of departure, stand-in captain Navneet said, “This series is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against a quality side like Argentina. We have had a very productive training camp in Bengaluru, and the focus has been on improving our structure and decision-making in key moments. The team is feeling confident and excited to put our plans into action.”
Published on Apr 09, 2026
The Indian women’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on Thursday evening for Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it will take on the host in a four-match series from April 13 to 17.
Notably, captain Salima Tete is unable to travel with the team due to illness, and in her absence, experienced forward Navneet Kaur will lead the side as stand-in captain for the tour.
The tour is set to play a crucial role in India’s preparations for a packed international calendar ahead, including the FIH Women’s World Cup and the Asian Games.
ALSO READ | India Women’s tour of Argentina 2026 — Full squad, schedule, venue, timings
The squad has been training in Bengaluru over the past few weeks. The team heads into the series with confidence following a commendable runner-up finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Expressing her thoughts ahead of departure, stand-in captain Navneet said, “This series is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against a quality side like Argentina. We have had a very productive training camp in Bengaluru, and the focus has been on improving our structure and decision-making in key moments. The team is feeling confident and excited to put our plans into action.”
Published on Apr 09, 2026
The Indian women’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on Thursday evening for…