THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
AMSTELVEEN, AUGUST 19, 2026
India kept their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 semi-final hopes
alive with a spirited 5-3 victory over Pakistan in their concluding Pool D
match in Amstelveen on Wednesday. A dominant first half, two goals each from
captain Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek, and a strike from Hardik Singh helped
India secure all three points and finish second in the pool with six points.
England topped Pool D with a perfect three wins, while Pakistan and Wales will
now compete in the classification phase.
India began with intent, taking control of proceedings early
and repeatedly threatening down the left flank. Harmanpreet led from the front
with two well-taken goals, while Abhishek also struck twice. Hardik completed
India's scoring with a confidently converted penalty stroke. Pakistan, however,
refused to surrender, with Hannan Shahid scoring twice and Sufiyan Khan adding
another to keep the contest alive until the final whistle.
India opened the scoring in the fifth minute after sustained
pressure around the Pakistan circle. A ricochet off Abhishek's reverse effort
was deemed dangerous, earning India a penalty corner. Harmanpreet's first
drag-flick struck the rusher's foot, resulting in a retake. The Indian captain
made no mistake with his second attempt, sending a powerful flick to goalkeeper
Ali Raza's left to put India 1-0 ahead.
India continued to press aggressively. Shilanand Lakra earned
another penalty corner in the sixth minute, but Harmanpreet's low effort was
comfortably kept out by Ali Raza. Aditya also produced a promising solo run
from the right, although his final pass could not find an Indian stick inside
the circle.
India doubled their advantage in the 11th minute.
Harmanpreet's aerial found Abhishek, who entered the circle before attempting a
clever no-look pass. The ball took a deflection off a cluster of Pakistan
defenders and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Another penalty
corner followed two minutes later, but Pakistan's defence successfully blocked
Harmanpreet's flick.
India carried their two-goal advantage into the second
quarter and extended it in the 21st minute. Hardik's long scoop was collected
by Shilanand, who was then impeded by a Pakistan defender, earning India a
penalty corner. Harmanpreet opted for a variation, setting up Rajinder, whose
effort was saved. The rebound fell back to Harmanpreet, who created space to
his right before firing home to make it 3-0.
Pakistan responded almost immediately. Vivek Sagar Prasad was
dispossessed in midfield, allowing Pakistan to surge forward. The Indian
goalkeeper made a good save to deny Moin Shakeel, but Hannan Shahid reacted
quickest to the loose ball from the resulting long corner and pulled one back
in the 22nd minute.
India restored their three-goal cushion just two minutes
later. Jugraj Singh's slap was trapped superbly by Abhishek at the top of the
circle, and the forward continued his run from the left before finishing from a
tight angle to make it 4-1.
Pakistan again responded quickly, earning a penalty corner in
the same minute. Sufiyan Khan converted with a well-placed flick past the
Indian custodian to reduce the deficit to 4-2. Pakistan enjoyed a strong
attacking spell thereafter, looking to exploit India's occasional lapses in
midfield, but Sumit made an important defensive intervention to clear another
penalty-corner threat.
The second quarter proved to be a goal-filled affair, with
four goals scored as both teams found the net twice in an action-packed passage
of play.
India restored their three-goal lead in the 35th minute after
Aditya was pushed inside the circle, prompting the umpire to award a penalty
stroke. Hardik stepped up confidently and converted to make it 5-2.
Pakistan continued to search for openings, but India's
defence largely kept their attacking moves at bay. At the other end, India came
close through Sukhjeet, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but
lost control as the ball trickled beyond the baseline.
Pakistan pulled another goal back in the 46th minute when an
error in India's midfield allowed Hannan Shahid to pounce and score his second
of the evening, making it 5-3.
The final quarter saw Pakistan throw numbers forward in search of another lifeline, but India remained composed and disciplined. Pakistan earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute and attempted a variation, but the move broke down when their attacker failed to anticipate the pass.
India saw out the closing moments with composure to seal a 5-3 victory. The result confirmed India's second-place finish in Pool D and kept their semi-final aspirations alive. England advanced as pool winners, while Pakistan and Wales moved into the classification phase.
