India led 2-1 at one stage, but England struck three times after the break to seal a 4-2 victory and confirm a top-two finish in Pool D

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

AMSTELVEEN, AUGUST 17, 2026

The Indian Men’s Team put up a spirited fight but suffered a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday. India fought back from an early deficit to take a 2-1 lead through goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh, but England produced a clinical second-half display, scoring three unanswered goals to secure all three points and confirm their place in the top two of Pool D.

Nicholas Bandurak scored twice for England, while Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft added one goal each as Zachary Wallace’s side overturned India’s lead. For India, Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner, while Dilpreet finished off a well-worked move to put his side ahead in the second quarter.

The contest began at a frantic pace before both teams settled into their structures. India created the first clear opportunity in the seventh minute when Jarmanpreet Singh found himself with almost the entire goal in sight, five yards inside the circle, but his hurried effort went wide as goalkeeper Oliver Payne dived across to make the save.

England earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute after a referral, but Manpreet Singh produced an excellent stick block to deny the flick.

England eventually broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A brilliant aerial ball caught the Indian defence off guard and created a two-on-one situation, with Bandurak finishing clinically to make it 1-0. India responded almost immediately, with Dilpreet testing Payne, but the England goalkeeper did well to palm the effort away.

India drew level two minutes into the second quarter. After winning a penalty corner, Harmanpreet stepped up and unleashed a powerful flick into the top-left corner, leaving Payne with no chance.

England threatened again through Bandurak, who narrowly missed from close range, before India completed their comeback in the 25th minute.

Hardik Singh worked the ball along the baseline to Abhishek, who sent a bouncing pass towards the far post. Dilpreet was perfectly placed and needed only a simple touch to put India 2-1 ahead.

India went into half-time with the lead after enjoying the better of the attacking numbers, registering eight shots on goal compared to England’s three.

England, however, remained patient after the interval and gradually increased the pressure, while India’s defensive structure initially proved difficult to break down.

The equaliser arrived in the 39th minute against the run of play. Following a long slap-push from the right, Rushmere got a half-touch with his reverse stick inside the circle and sent the ball past Mohith to make it 2-2.

England then completed the turnaround in the 43rd minute. Another aerial ball allowed the English side to enter India’s 23-metre area, with Rushmere again involved in the build-up. Croft took a quick hit and beat Mohith to score his maiden World Cup goal and give England a 3-2 advantage.

India pushed hard for an equaliser in the final quarter. Jarmanpreet earned a penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Harmanpreet’s attempt to find a deflection off an Indian stick was kept out by an alert Thomas Sorsby.

Abhishek then came close with a tomahawk in the 50th minute, but his effort travelled across the face of goal.

England put the result beyond doubt in the 55th minute. After India conceded a penalty corner following a goalmouth melee, Bandurak stepped up and produced a superb low-flying flick to the left of goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, completing his brace and making it 4-2.

India continued to search for a way back into the contest, but England’s efficiency in the second half proved decisive as they capitalised on their opportunities to claim all three points.

The victory took England to the top of Pool D with six points from two matches and secured their qualification for the next phase. India, with one win and one defeat, remain second in the pool but now face a must-win encounter against Pakistan on August 19 to finish in the top two and stay in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Pakistan and Wales have one point each from two matches.