Despite a hard-fought 2-0 defeat against host and three-time defending champion Netherlands, India remains in contention for a semifinal spot.
India suffered its first loss of the Women’s Hockey World Cup campaign, going down 2-0 to host and three-time defending champion Netherlands in a hard-fought second-round match at the Wagener Stadion.
The Netherlands took an early lead just 83 seconds into the Friday, August 21, 2026 contest when lethal drag-flicker Yibbi Jansen scored her seventh goal of the tournament. The Dutch team, forced to wear its away uniform against India's new colours, applied a full-court press that made it difficult for India to move out of its own half. India's defense held firm against additional penalty corners, with Bichu Devi making a block before another Jansen drag-push struck the post.
India mounted several attacking moves as the match progressed. Salima Tete blazed an opportunity over the bar, Navneet Kaur flashed a shot wide, and Deepika had two penalty corners shut out by the Netherlands defense. Following the break, Sunelita Toppo had a clear counter-attack chance to equalize, but her tame shot was saved by Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal.
The Netherlands capitalized shortly after when Frederique Matla doubled the lead with a drag-flick that beat Ishika Chaudhary on the line. Playing just over 24 hours after their previous match, exhaustion affected Sjoerd Marijne’s team in the final stages. Netherlands' Freeke Moes almost added a third goal, forcing Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia into a close-range save before the rebound hit the post.
The victory qualified the Netherlands for the semifinals, while India currently sits fourth in the standings. However, a 1-1 draw between Australia and China earlier in the day leaves the door open for India to challenge for a place in the semifinals.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.