The Indian women’s hockey team led by Navjot Kaur, on August 28, defeated the Malaysian team 9-5 to move to the final of the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier 2023. With the win, India not only entered the final, but also qualified for the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024, to be played next year. The inaugural edition of the Hockey 5s World Cup will be held in Muscat from January 24 to 27 next year.
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Skipper Navjot Kaur slammed a hat-trick to add to India’s win. She scored a goal in the 7th, 10th and 17th minutes of the game. In addition to Kaur, Mariana Kujur (9th, 12th) and Jyoti (21th, 26th) scored twice. Meanwhile, Monika Dipi Toppo (22nd) and Mahima Choudhary (14th) scored one goal each.
For Malaysia, Zati Muhamad (4th, 5th), Dian Nazeri (10th, 20th) and Aziz Zafirah (16th) scored.
India started the match on an aggressive note, however, Malaysia took the lead through Muhamad. A minute later, Malaysia doubled its lead as Muhamad scored again. In the 8th, 9th minute, two back to back goals from India by Navjot Kaur and Mariana Kujur got the team on the scoreboard and levelled the game.
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India came back from 2-0 down to finish the first half with a lead of two goals, 5-3. In the second half, Navjot, Monika and Jyoti’s goal helped India take lead and defeat the Malaysian team.
India will now play the winner of the second semifinal between Thailand and Indonesia in the final.