India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a blow after the women’s team went down 0-2 to defending champions Netherlands in their opening second-stage match at the Wagener Stadium on Friday.
Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla scored for the Netherlands, who secured their place in the semi-finals with the victory.
The Dutch made a fast start and opened the scoring just 81 seconds into the match. A sustained early press earned them a penalty corner, with Jansen firing the ball past Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi.
The Netherlands continued to put India under pressure, but Bichu produced a series of important saves to keep her side in the contest. India gradually settled and began creating opportunities, with Salima Tete registering their first shot in the 12th minute.
The Netherlands came close to extending their lead in the 13th minute when a penalty-corner effort struck the post, leaving India trailing by just one goal at the end of the first quarter.
Savita replaced Bichu in goal at the start of the second quarter and immediately made an impact with several crucial interventions. India earned their first penalty corner in the 19th minute, but Deepika’s flick was blocked by the Dutch defence.
Navneet Kaur also came close to scoring when she received a pass inside the circle in the 22nd minute, but her effort went narrowly over the crossbar. Savita then denied Felice Albers and made another important intervention during a goalmouth scramble to keep the deficit at 0-1 at half-time.
The Netherlands increased the pressure after the interval. India defended resolutely, with Salima making a crucial block from a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. India also threatened on the counter, but Sunelita’s effort lacked the power to trouble Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal.
The defending champions finally doubled their advantage in the 38th minute. Matla converted from a penalty corner, finding a way through the Indian defence and past the player stationed on the post.
India pushed for a way back into the match in the final quarter but struggled to break through the Dutch defence. Freeke Moes hit the post in the 54th minute, while Savita made another important save shortly afterwards.
India continued to press in the closing stages, with Navneet coming closest to pulling a goal back in the 59th minute. Veenendaal produced a brave save to deny her, taking a blow to her helmet in the process.
The Netherlands comfortably managed the closing minutes to complete a 2-0 victory and book their place in the semi-finals.
The defeat leaves India with one point in Pool E, carried over from their draw against China in the first stage. The Netherlands moved to six points, while China have two and Australia one.
India will now need to beat Australia in their final Pool E match and hope the Netherlands defeat China to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
(Inputs from Hockey India)
