India Women’s Hockey Team Triumphs: Qualifies for Hockey 5s World Cup
**Heading:** India Defeats Malaysia 5-4, Secures Spot in Inaugural Hockey 5s World Cup
*Salalah, Oman – August 28, 2023:* In a thrilling match at the Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier, the Indian women’s hockey team secured their place in the inaugural Hockey 5s World Cup by defeating Malaysia with a score of 5-4. The victory came after a series of impressive performances in the tournament.
**Key Highlights:**
1. **Road to Victory:** Earlier in the day, the Indian team, led by Skipper Navjot Kaur, showcased their dominance as they defeated Malaysia 9-5, earning their spot in the final.
2. **Final Triumph:** Facing Thailand in the final, India delivered a spectacular performance, triumphing over their opponents with a score of 7-2.
3. **Outstanding Players:** Mariana Kujur and Jyoti were the stars of the final match, each scoring twice for India. Monika Dipi Toppo, skipper Navjot Kaur, and Mahima Choudhary also made significant contributions to the team’s victory.
4. **World Cup Qualification:** India’s victory secured their qualification for the Hockey 5s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Muscat from January 24-27 next year.
5. **Early Lead and Dominance:** India took an early lead in the match, with Kujur’s excellent field goal. Though Thailand responded with two quick goals, India quickly equalized with Toppo’s brilliant field goal. Kujur struck again to give India the lead, followed by Jyoti extending it to 4-2 before halftime.
6. **Second-Half Brilliance:** In the second half, India continued their relentless pace and precision, adding more goals to their tally. Captain Navjot, Jyoti, and Choudhary all contributed to India’s resounding victory.
7. **Hat-Trick Hero:** Earlier in the tournament, Navjot Kaur stood out with a hat-trick against Malaysia, leading India to a 9-5 victory in the semifinals.
8. **Reward and Recognition:** Hockey India has announced a reward of ₹2 lakh for each player of the winning team and ₹1 lakh for the support staff, recognizing their outstanding performance.
This victory marks a significant achievement for the Indian women’s hockey team, and their journey to the Hockey 5s World Cup is a testament to their skill and determination on the field.