- Indian women's hockey team earns Rs One lakh each as reward for defeating Netherlands.
- Hockey India announces Rs 50,000 reward for each member of the support staff.
- Victory came in an FIH Pro League match against the reigning Olympic champions and world No. One team.
Hockey India (HI) will award Rs one lakh to every member of the Indian women's team following their remarkable shootout victory over the reigning Olympic champions and world number one, Netherlands in an FIH Pro League match on Tuesday. The support staff will receive Rs 50,000 each after the team triumphed 2-1 in the shootout, having been tied 2-2 at the end of regular time.
"After the remarkable upset victory, hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs one lakh for each player and Rs 50,000 for every support staff member, in addition to their standard Rs 50,000 reward for each win," HI said in a statement.
Pien Sanders (17th minute) and Fay van der Elst (28th) put the Netherlands ahead 2-0 at halftime. However, India mounted a brilliant comeback, leveling the score with spectacular goals from Deepika (35th) and Baljeet Kaur (43rd). In the shootout, Deepika and Mumtaz Khan converted for India, while Marijn Veen was the only scorer for the Netherlands, the defending champions.
Veteran India goalkeeper Savita Punia made four key saves, playing a pivotal role in the team's victory. The home team had previously lost 2-4 to the same opponents in the first leg on Monday.
In the eight home leg matches since February 15, India won three, including Tuesday's victory, and lost five, with one defeat in a shootout. With the bonus point from the shootout win, India is currently in fifth place in the FIH Pro League standings, earning 12 points from seven matches. England leads the table with 16 points from seven games.
