THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

AMSTELVEEN, AUGUST 27, 2026

The Indian women’s hockey team signed off from the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 on a high, defeating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the fifth-sixth place classification match in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Thursday.

The victory secured India a fifth-place finish — their best at an FIH Women’s World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1974, when they finished fourth.

After a goalless opening 30 minutes, India produced a superb attacking display in the third quarter, scoring three times through Ishika and Navneet Kaur to seal a memorable victory.

The match began with both teams adopting a cautious approach, although Germany enjoyed more possession in the early stages. India gradually found their rhythm, with Baljeet Kaur and Sakshi Rana combining well down the right flank in the fifth minute. Their move ended with a dangerous ball towards captain Salima Tete, but the German defence denied the India skipper the space to get a decisive touch.

Both sides managed to enter the circle but struggled to create clear-cut shooting opportunities. Germany came close in the 11th minute when Johanna Hachenberg attempted a reverse hit, only for an Indian defender to make a timely interception.

India responded through Lalremsiami, who received a pass from Shilpi Dabas in the 13th minute before attempting to find Navneet inside the German 23-metre area. However, the pass ran beyond her teammate.

Germany earned their first penalty corner in the 15th minute after India’s video referral failed to overturn the decision. Bichu Devi initially kept out the threat, while Germany were awarded another penalty corner after the ball lifted off an Indian stick during the ensuing scramble. Germany opted for a variation, but a miscommunication saw the ball run out of play.

India created their best opportunity of the second quarter when Deepika found Navneet, who then set up Lalremsiami. However, her effort went wide. Germany earned another penalty corner soon after, but the injection was not clean and India cleared the danger.

Germany’s Ines Wanner also sent an effort wide before India responded with a flurry of attacks. Navneet and Salima Tete combined to test German goalkeeper Finja Starck, who made three successive saves to keep the scores level at half-time.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 43rd minute. Neha won possession and quickly released Ishika, who had options on either side but chose to take on the German defence herself. Her determined run ended with a composed finish to give India a 1-0 lead.

India doubled their advantage just a minute later. Sustained pressure earned them a penalty corner, and when Navneet’s first direct attempt struck a German runner, India were awarded another PC. This time, Navneet found the gap with a powerful strike to make it 2-0.

India continued their momentum into the final quarter and struck again in the 47th minute. Salima found Navneet along the baseline, and the forward brilliantly manoeuvred past two defenders before lifting the ball into the net for her second goal of the match.

Germany tried to respond, with Lynn Krings narrowly missing with a deflection in the 50th minute. Krings eventually pulled one back in the 59th minute, but it proved only a consolation.

Germany earned one final penalty corner with 12 seconds remaining, but India’s defence held firm to complete a memorable 3-1 victory.

India finished the tournament with two wins, three draws and one defeat from six matches. Their only loss came against defending champions the Netherlands, while they held higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws and defeated South Africa 6-1 for their biggest win at an FIH World Cup.

Although India narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, their fifth-place finish represents significant progress and provides the team with valuable confidence ahead of next month’s Asian Games in Japan.