When the Indian women’s hockey team has excelled in recent tournaments, Navneet Kaur has often been at the heart of their attacking efforts. As the Rani Rampal era fades post-Tokyo Olympics, Navneet—another product of Shahbad’s renowned hockey nursery—has become one of India’s key attacking players.
Now serving as vice-captain, Navneet has taken on a larger role in the team’s offensive strategies. On Sunday in Rajgir at the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), she delivered when it mattered most. With the score tied at 0-0 in the third quarter against a strong Japanese defense, Navneet broke through with a stunning tomahawk strike, giving India the lead. Deepika later added two goals in the fourth quarter, sealing a 3-0 victory.
This win ensured India topped the pool stage and will face Japan again in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Deepika Dominates Scoring
Deepika, the tournament’s leading scorer with 10 goals, showcased her exceptional drag-flick skills, adding two more to her tally. While India converted only 2 out of 9 penalty corners, Japanese goalkeeper Yu Kudo’s outstanding performance kept the game tight early on, including a triple save in the first half that frustrated the hosts.
A Cagey Start, Then Momentum Shift
With stakes low—India only needed a draw to top the group, and Japan had already secured a semifinal spot—the match began cautiously. Japan posed little threat, failing to register a circle entry until midway through the second quarter. However, India’s tempo improved significantly after halftime.
Navneet was central to this resurgence, demonstrating why her childhood coach, Baldev Singh, praises her dribbling and dodging skills. She created opportunities, drew fouls, and ultimately delivered the decisive goal with a powerful backhand strike.
Player of the Match
While Navneet’s tournament had been inconsistent, with some missed opportunities, her performance against Japan struck the right balance between creating chances and converting them. Her crucial goal and overall impact earned her the Player of the Match award.
Freedom to Attack
Navneet’s evolution under coach Harendra Singh is notable. Once mainly a feeder for strikers, she now operates higher up the pitch as a roaming attacker, giving her more opportunities to score. This newfound freedom could make her an even greater asset as India progresses in this Olympic cycle.
India will aim to replicate their dominance in the semifinals against Japan on Tuesday, with Navneet and Deepika leading the charge.
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