The Indian hockey team began their FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 campaign by staging a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat the United States 3-2 in their opening Pool A clash in Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday.
For India, ninth in the hockey rankings, Deepika (17′, 24’) netted a brace while Navneet Kaur (28′) scored the winner.
Ashley Sessa (4′) and Madeleine Zimmer (7′) got on the scoresheet for world No. 12 USA at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre.
The USA got off to a great start and opened the scoring through Ashley Sessa, who found the back of the net with a field goal in the fourth minute.
The Americans doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Madeleine Zimmer converted a penalty corner to put India under early pressure.
Trailing by two goals, India gradually began to assert themselves in attack. Their efforts paid off in the second quarter when drag-flick specialist Deepika successfully converted a penalty corner to reduce the deficit and bring India back into the game.
The momentum continued to swing in India’s favour as they earned another penalty corner midway through the quarter. Deepika then stepped up once again and successfully converted another penalty corner to level the score at 2-2.
India went on to maintain the pressure and completed a stunning turnaround before halftime with Navneet Kaur converting a penalty corner to hand her side the lead for the first time in the match as they headed into the break with a 3-2 advantage.
The second half saw both teams battle intensely in search of goals. Both sides earned six penalty corners each over the course of the match, but neither defence allowed any further breakthroughs in the remaining two quarters as India held on to their advantage to begin their FIG Nations Cup campaign on a winning note.
The win moved India to second place in Pool A with three points, level with Japan, who lead the standings on goal difference.
India will face Japan in their next FIH Nations Cup match on Tuesday.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/fih-nations-cup-2025-26-women-india-vs-united-states-match-report
