India produced another spirited performance to continue their winning run in the FIH Women’s Nations Cup, defeating Uruguay 3-2 in a thrilling Pool A encounter in New Zealand on Thursday. Despite falling behind early in the match, the Indian women showed remarkable resilience to fight back and secure their third consecutive victory, finishing at the top of the group standings.
Having already registered impressive wins over the USA and Japan, India entered the contest with confidence and maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament. The victory ensured that the team ended Pool A as table-toppers and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Chile and Korea on June 20.
Uruguay drew first blood in the 13th minute when Chiara Appennino successfully converted a penalty corner, putting India under pressure. The South American side defended well and looked determined to hold on to their lead, but India gradually increased the intensity of their attacks and began creating opportunities in the opposition circle.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 24th minute through India's prolific drag-flick specialist Deepika. Awarded a penalty corner, Deepika made no mistake as she unleashed a powerful strike to beat the Uruguayan goalkeeper and bring India back on level terms. The goal boosted India's confidence and shifted the momentum in their favour.
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The match remained tightly contested for much of the third quarter before Deepika Soreng produced a moment of brilliance in the 43rd minute. Capitalising on a well-constructed attacking move, Soreng scored a fine field goal to give India a 2-1 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Uruguay, however, refused to surrender and continued to push for an equaliser. Their efforts paid off in the 55th minute when captain Manuela Vilar found the back of the net, making it 2-2 and setting up a tense finish.
The parity lasted only a minute. India responded immediately, with Deepika once again stepping up when her team needed her most. The striker scored her second goal of the match in the 56th minute, restoring India's lead and ultimately proving to be the match-winner. The quick response highlighted India's determination and composure under pressure.
The victory not only secured top spot in Pool A but also underlined India's growing confidence and attacking prowess in the tournament. With three wins from three matches, the team heads into the semifinals with strong momentum and hopes of lifting the Nations Cup title.
The match was also a landmark occasion for midfielder Neha, who celebrated her 200th international appearance for India. The experienced player marked the milestone in memorable fashion as the team registered another important victory on its road to the knockout stage.
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