Deepika’s winning moment came in February during the Bhubaneswar leg of the Pro League, when India played out a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands before clinching the match in a shootout at the Kalinga Stadium.
In the 35th minute, the 21-year-old dribbled down the left flank, weaving through the Dutch defence. She hugged the baseline, deftly lifted the ball over a defender’s stick and slotted it past the goalkeeper to score a memorable goal.
“Scoring that goal against the Netherlands, the world’s No. 1 team, was a special moment for me. And now receiving this recognition means so much,” Deepika said.
Apart from Deepika’s goal, the women nominees for the Poligras Magic Skill Award featured two more wonderful flashes of brilliance on the hockey field.
These included Patricia Alvarez’s incredible 3D Skills and goal for Spain against Australia.
The third nomination was a team goal by the Australian women’s team against England. The move comprised five passes in the opposing half before a brilliant strike into the goal.
The men’s award went to Belgium’s Victor Wegnez for his midfield brilliance which eventually led to a stunning team goal against Spain.