Bhopal: From translating passion into play with a busted and discarded stick to living the dream of striding out in national colours, life came a full circle for 15-year-old Nousheen Naz, as the girl from Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district produced a composed, match-defining performance to help India open their U-18 Women's Asia Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Malaysia on Saturday.
The forward, who came into the spotlight after being picked for the national squad despite not owning a stick of her own, scored both the goals and was adjudged Player of the Match as India came away with all three points from a nervy Pool A encounter.
Left-footed Nousheen broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, converting a penalty corner with a low, powerful drag-flick that blazed past an outstretched Malaysian goalkeeper.
She doubled the lead just before half-time, cutting in on goal to latch onto a precise through ball and rifling a clinical finish into the net in the 28th minute.
With the scoreline reading 2-0 in India's favour, Malaysia mounted a spirited response in the second half and pulled one back in the 41st minute through Nur Azli, who capitalised on a lapse in India's defensive shape to slot home a well-taken strike.
The strike injected fresh urgency into the contest, setting up a tense final quarter as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. Despite the renewed pressure, India's defence and goalkeeper absorbed the attacks, repelling late raids to preserve the slender lead.
Nousheen's two decisive strikes and her calmness in front of goal underlined why national selectors had taken a chance on the teenager, whose rapid rise from the dusty fields of Seoni to the international stage has dominated discourse in the tournament.
"We are living a dream," Nousheen's father, Ahfaz Khan, told TOI from Seoni after his daughter's breakthrough outing.
Her coach at the MP Hockey Academy, Vandana, also lavished praise on the teen, calling her a "God-gifted girl", gushing over her temperament and finishing ability.
The result leaves India second in Pool A on goal difference and level on three points with Korea, which sits atop the group following the opening fixtures.
With ensuring a winning start to the continental campaign, the performance by the Indian Eves also exposed some areas for improvement. India will need better finishing from open play and tighter defensive coordination if they are to compete with stronger opponents in the coming rounds.
India now face a crucial Pool A meeting with Korea on May 31, a match that could shape the early dynamics of the group. With Nousheen already hitting top form and going into the next fixture with newfound confidence and belief, the visitors will look to the teenager to spearhead the attack once more in what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
