FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup Final Pool Standing

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team secured a spot in the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025–26 after finishing the pool stage unbeaten in Auckland. Convincing performances guided the squad to the top of Pool A, bringing India closer to FIH Pro League qualification.

19 June 2026: Five athletes who participated in specialised camps supported by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation for the Indian Women’s Hockey Teams have delivered strong performances at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025–26, currently taking place in Auckland, New Zealand. The national line-up swept through their group phase without a single defeat. Comprehensive wins over the United States, Japan, and Uruguay allowed the team to lead Pool A, moving within reach of a promotion to the elite FIH Pro League.

The international tournament has highlighted the immense depth and capability present across the current roster. Drag-flick specialist Deepika, hailing from Hisar, Haryana, generated immediate momentum by converting 2 crucial penalty corners during the opening encounter against the United States. She replicated this success by striking 2 goals against Uruguay, securing a tight 3–2 victory that confirmed India’s premier standing in Pool A. Accumulating 4 goals so far, Deepika shares the title of the tournament’s leading goalscorer. Meanwhile, veteran goalkeepers Savita from Sirsa, Haryana, and Bichu Devi Kharibam from Thoubal, Manipur, provided defensive stability. Guarding the net with composure, they were heavily assisted by defender Lalthantluangi from Thenzawl, Mizoram, and forward Annu from Jind, Haryana, who both acted as vital components of the tactical lineup.

The corporate social responsibility arm, Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation, has sponsored multiple intensive preparation camps for the national squad as part of its broader mandate to uplift women’s sports across the country. These initiatives included an 11-day specialized goalkeeping clinic conducted at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Bengaluru. Overseen by expert coach David Williamson alongside Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, the curriculum prioritized positional awareness, split-second decision-making, and technical refinement. Furthermore, Anandana funded an elite drag-flicking and short-corner masterclass directed by former international expert Taeke Taekema. This camp took place during the team’s developmental tour across Australia and New Zealand, emphasizing set-piece execution and overall squad synergy.

“The specialised camp gave us an opportunity to work closely with experienced coaches and focus on aspects of our game that require dedicated attention. The guidance and feedback received was invaluable. I am grateful to Hockey India and Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation for creating and supporting opportunities like these, which help us continue learning, growing and performing at a higher level,” said Deepika.

Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, stated, “It is wonderful to see these athletes performing so well at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup. Savita and Bichu have been exceptional in goal; Deepika’s penalty corner strikes against the USA were outstanding. We are proud of what they are achieving. We also thank Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation for their continued support in providing quality training environments for our women’s teams. Such partnerships go a long way in strengthening the overall ecosystem for women’s hockey in India.”

Devyani Rana, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said, “Every athlete’s journey is shaped by the opportunities and support they receive along the way. It is inspiring to see Savita, Deepika, Bichu, Lalthantluangi and Annu representing India at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup. Their progress underscores the importance of creating pathways that help young athletes develop their potential and pursue their sporting ambitions. We wish them continued success in the tournament.”

Operating in tandem with the corporate #SheTheDifference campaign, the ongoing alliance between the national governing body and Anandana centers on equipping female competitors with high-performance coaching, international tournament experience, and robust talent pathways.

In their final group stage fixture on Thursday, the team demonstrated remarkable composure by engineering a 3–2 comeback triumph over a resilient Uruguayan squad. Despite letting in an opening goal, the roster maintained structural discipline, with Deepika scoring twice and Deepika Soreng adding a single field goal to seal the result.

This final group victory confirmed India’s unblemished record in Pool A, while the United States claimed the runner-up position to seal the second semi-final berth from the group. The match also served as an individual milestone for veteran midfielder Neha, who achieved her 200th senior international cap.

Uruguay initially broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Chiara Appennino successfully fired home a short corner. India counter-attacked aggressively, equalizing before the halftime whistle blew when Deepika scored her initial penalty corner in the 24th minute.

Following the halftime intermission, India asserted structural dominance by intensifying their offensive press. This tactical pressure bore fruit in the 43rd minute when Deepika Soreng executed an field goal, giving India a 2–1 advantage going into the final quarter.

The South American opposition fought back late in the game, equalizing through team captain Manuela Vilar in the 55th minute. India responded instantly, as Deepika converted another penalty corner in the 56th minute to finalize the 3–2 scorecard.

Statistically, India dictated the offensive flow, securing 7 penalty corners while limiting Uruguay to just 2 opportunities. Armed with maximum points from their group matches, the squad advances to the knockout stage scheduled for June 20, where they will play Chile or South Korea.

Future Outlook

The unblemished run in Auckland places India in a prime position to reclaim its spot in the prestigious FIH Pro League. By securing the top seed in Pool A, the team avoids a premature clash with the tournament’s highest-ranked knockout contenders. The focus now shifts to the semi-final matches on June 20, where strategic execution during penalty corners will dictate whether India can secure the tournament title.

FAQs

Who is the leading goalscorer for India in the tournament?

Forward and drag-flicker Deepika is the joint top scorer of the competitive tournament, having scored 4 goals across the group stages, including match-winning braces against both the United States and Uruguay.

Which corporate foundation supports the Indian Women’s Hockey team camps?

The specialized developmental, goalkeeping, and drag-flicking training camps are actively funded and supported by Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation as part of its ongoing sports partnership.

How many international matches has midfielder Neha played?

Midfielder Neha reached a career milestone during the pool match against Uruguay in Auckland, completing her 200th senior international appearance for the national team.

What is the primary objective for India at the FIH Nations Cup?

India aims to win the tournament title in New Zealand to secure automatic qualification and promotion back into the top-tier FIH Pro League for the upcoming season.