Amstelveen (Netherlands). In the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, the Indian women’s hockey team strengthened its position in ‘Pool-D’ with a spectacular 6-1 win over South Africa. This match was played on Tuesday at the Wagner Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.
With this spectacular win, India remains unbeaten in the tournament. Earlier, India had played a 2-2 draw with 2024 Olympic silver medalist China, which has given them four points from two matches and India is currently leading the pool on the basis of goal difference. India will end its campaign against England on August 20.
After playing a 2-2 draw against China in their first match, the Indian women’s team entered this match with the intention of scoring all three points. India made its aggressive intentions clear from the opening minutes.
India won its first penalty corner in the seventh minute. During Baljeet Kaur’s play from the left side, the ball hit her foot inside the circle. Deepika tried to take a set piece, but Van Tonder blocked the Indian’s drag-flick.
The result of continuous pressure was finally seen in the 11th minute. India patiently moved the ball around the South African circle and then Sakshi Rana’s shot found its way to the far post, where Sunelita Toppo opened the scoring for India.
After Ishika Chaudhary got a ‘green card’ in the 15th minute of the match, India had to play with 10 players for some time, but India maintained its composure. At the start of the second quarter, Savita took over the goalkeeping duties for India and the team continued to take the lead.
India doubled their lead in the 17th minute with a brilliant move from the penalty corner. Navneet Kaur changed the angle and then hit a powerful ‘slap hit’, which hit the backboard and turned into a goal and the score became 2-0.
India further strengthened its lead in the 25th minute. Deepika’s drag-flick deflected off the first rusher and fell right to Sushila Chanu; He put India ahead 3-0 with the decisive touch.
South Africa kept trying to make a comeback in the match, but India dominated the first 30 minutes and kept the score 3-0 in their favor till the half-time break.
In the 38th minute, India scored the fourth goal through a brilliant attacking move. Navneet exchanged passes with Baljeet on the left and then passed the ball to Deepika. Controlling the ball with his backhand, he hit a powerful ‘Tomahawk’ shot and sent the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper.
The third quarter remained India’s dominant force as they continued to attack with pace and purpose. Two goals within two minutes further strengthened India’s grip on the match.
In the 44th minute, Lalremsiami received an aerial ball from Neha inside the circle; He used the reverse stick and shot towards the far post. This shot went into the goal, bypassing the goalkeeper and the score became 5-0.
After this, India scored another goal in the 45th minute. Salima advanced the ball from the right side and passed it to Ishika, whose shot hit the goal post. On the rebound, Sakshi Rana reacted fastest and hit a tremendous reverse hit to send the ball into the top corner, completing India’s sixth goal.
South Africa continued to fight till the end and got the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Kayla de Waal converted a penalty corner. Pierce’s drag-flick took the Indian rusher first and De Waal was quickest to react at the far post to reduce the score to 1-6. After this no other goal could be scored in the game.