A four-minute second-half scoring spree powered India to a 3-1 victory over Germany in Amstelveen, securing their best World Cup finish in 52 years.
The Indian women’s hockey team achieved its best World Cup finish since the inaugural 1974 edition, defeating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 in their fifth-place classification match at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen.
Following a goalless opening half where Germany dominated possession, India broke the game open in the second half with a deadly counter-attacking clinic, scoring three goals in four minutes. Neha set up Ishika in the 42nd minute to lift the ball past German goalkeeper Finja Starck for her first World Cup goal. Navneet Kaur doubled the lead a minute later from India's second short corner, before adding another in the 46th minute with a flick into the roof of the net following a turnover.
Germany pushed hard in the final stretch, but the Indian defense—including tournament debutant Lalthantluangi—held firm. Goalkeeper Savita Punia pulled off crucial late saves before Lynn Krings scored a consolation goal for Germany with 67 seconds left on the clock.
Starting the tournament ranked ninth, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne’s side exceeded expectations in the Netherlands by pulling off draws against fourth-ranked China, seventh-ranked England, and eighth-ranked Australia alongside the victory over Germany. The team now heads into next month's Asian Games confident of challenging for the gold medal.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.