Indian Women Hockey team, consisting of three players from Odisha, emerged champions in the FIH Womens Series Finals, defeating hosts Japan 3-1 in the final at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium in Hiroshima today.

India, thus, clinched a double with the country also bagging the title in the FIH Mens Series Finals here at Kalinga Stadium earlier this month. According to R Vineel Krishna, Director, Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar will host the FIH Olympic Qualifiers for both men and women in November this year.

India women team (World No 9) had already secured their place in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers by defeating Chile 4-1 in the semifinal of the FIH Series Finals yesterday. India captain Rani Rampal was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament, while Gurjit Kaur emerged as the Top Scorer.

India secured their place in the Semi-Finals through convincing victories in their Pool A matches against Uruguay (4-1), Poland (5-0) and Fiji (10-0). Captain Rani dedicated the semifinal win to Lalremsiami`s father, who recently passed away.

INDIAN TEAM (Players with International Caps before tournament):
Goalkeepers: Savita (Vice-captain, 189), Rajani Etimarpu (87)
Defenders: Salima Tete (15), Nisha (0), Deep Grace Ekka (189), Gurjit Kaur (75), Sunita Lakra (151)
Midfielders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (167), Neha Goyal (61), Lilima Minz (141), Nikki Pradhan (94), Monika (136)
Forwards: Rani Rampal (Captain, 228), Vandana Katariya (226), Lalremsiami (50), Jyoti (7), Navneet Kaur (65), Navjot Kaur (158).
Coaches & Support Staff: Sjoerd Marijne (Chief Coach), Bharat Kumar Chetri (Coach), Wayne Lombard (Scientific Advisor), Nivedita Chopra (Physiotherapist), Amutha Prakash Perumal (Video Analyst), Radhika Bhikan Chaudhari (Masseuse), Erik Wonink (Analytical Coach).

RESULTS:
June 15: India (Rani 10’, Gurjit Kaur 21’, Jyoti 40’, Lalremsiami 56’) beat Uruguay (Teresa 51’) 4-1.
June 16: India (Jyoti 21’, Vandana Katariya 26’, Gurjit Kaur 28’, 35’, Navneet Kaur 56’) beat Poland 5-0.
June 18: India (Lalremsiami 4’, Rani 10’, Monika 11’, 33’, Gurjeet Kaur 15’, 19’, 21’, 22’, Lilima Minz 51’, Navneet Kaur 57) beat Fiji 11-0.
June 22 (SF): India (Gurjeet Kaur 22’, 37’, Navneet Kaur 31’, Rani 57’) beat Chile (Carolina Garcia 18’, Manuela Urroz 43’) 4-2.
June 23 (Final): India (Rani 3’, Gurjit Kaur 45’, 60’) beat Japan (Kanon Mori 11’) 3-1.
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PHOTO: Indian players celebrate their win over Chile in the semifinals of the FIH Women Series Finals in Hiroshima on 22 June 2019.