India’s women’s team bowed out of semi-final contention at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 after being held to a 0-0 draw by Australia in a tense Pool E encounter at the Wagener Stadium on Sunday.
India needed a win to reach the last four after the Netherlands defeated China earlier in the day. Australia, meanwhile, needed only a draw and held on to the result that sent them through to the semi-finals alongside defending champions the Netherlands.
Australia advanced on the goals-scored criterion. India finished third in Pool E on two points, ahead of China on goal difference, and will now compete for fifth and sixth place.
Australia make early push:
Australia began with greater possession and appeared to take the lead in the second minute. India immediately used their video referral, however, and the goal was overturned after replays showed the ball had come off an Australian stick before striking an Indian defender.
India struggled to create clear opportunities in the opening quarter, while Australia continued to threaten. Savita made an important save in the 10th minute to deny Amy Lawton.
India gradually found space down the right flank, with Salima Tete and Navneet combining to create attacking opportunities, but Australia’s compact defence repeatedly prevented the final pass.
Bichu Devi replaced Savita at the start of the second quarter and immediately made an impact, producing a diving save in the 19th minute to deny Grace Young.
India were dealt injury concerns when Ishika and Lalremsiami briefly left the field after receiving treatment, although both eventually returned.
India earned their first penalty corner in the 30th minute, but with Deepika off the field, Navneet’s variation was dealt with comfortably by the Australian defence.
Both sides denied by video referrals:
India returned from half-time with greater urgency, pushing more players forward in search of the goal they needed.
Australia came close through Stephanie Kershaw in the 38th minute, but her effort struck the sideboard.
Two minutes later, Australia appeared to have scored from a penalty corner. The goal was initially awarded, but India’s video referral showed an infringement and the decision was overturned.
India responded with a powerful attempt from Shilpi that flashed across the face of goal. Deepika then delivered a dangerous cross in the 45th minute, but no Indian attacker was able to make the crucial connection.
India’s late gamble falls short:
With the final quarter underway, both teams remained cautious, knowing the result carried major consequences.
Australia earned another penalty corner, but their initial effort went wide. A video referral also confirmed that the ball had come off Salima’s stick rather than her foot.
India continued to press for the winner but struggled to turn their possession into a decisive opportunity.
Bichu produced another vital save in the 54th minute, stretching out a leg to deny an Australian striker after a defensive error had presented a shooting chance.
As India pushed forward, Salima again came to the rescue by clearing the danger following another Australian penalty corner.
With more than five minutes remaining, India removed Bichu to give themselves an extra outfield player and commit fully to the attack.
Australia earned another penalty corner in the 59th minute, but India challenged the decision through a video referral. The referral was unsuccessful, and the penalty corner was retained.
Even with the Indian goal unguarded, Australia could not find the decisive touch as Salima made another crucial intervention.
The final whistle confirmed the 0-0 draw, ending India’s semi-final hopes.
Australia advance to the last four alongside the Netherlands, while India will now shift their focus to the fifth-sixth place classification match.
(Inputs from Hockey India)
