THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
AMSTELVEEN (NETHERLANDS), AUGUST 18, 2026
The Indian Women’s
Hockey Team produced a statement performance at the FIH Hockey World Cup
Belgium & Netherlands 2026, cruising to a commanding 6-1 victory over South
Africa at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Tuesday. After opening
their campaign with a 2-2 draw against 2024 Olympic silver medallists China,
India turned on the attacking flair to secure their first win of the
tournament. With six different players finding the net, India’s emphatic
victory took their tally to four points from two matches and moved them to the
top of Pool D on goal difference, while maintaining their unbeaten record.
Having been held to a draw by China in their opening outing,
India entered the contest with a clear intent to collect all three points. They
imposed themselves from the outset, combining crisp passing, intelligent
movement and swift attacks to consistently unsettle the South African defence.
South Africa created the first major opening in the fourth
minute when Kayla de Waal broke through on goal, but goalkeeper Bichu Devi
Kharibam stood tall to make a crucial save. India responded almost immediately,
with Salima Tete powering forward on the right before finding Sunelita Toppo,
whose effort was kept out by South African goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder.
India continued to apply pressure and earned their first
penalty corner in the seventh minute after Baljeet Kaur’s determined run down
the left resulted in a foot inside the circle. Deepika took responsibility for
the set piece, but van Tonder produced a full-length save to deny the Indian
drag-flick.
The pressure finally told in the 11th minute. India patiently
worked the ball around the South African circle before Sakshi Rana’s attempt
travelled towards the far post, where Sunelita Toppo was perfectly positioned
to apply the finishing touch and put India ahead.
India were briefly reduced to 10 players after Ishika
Chaudhary received a green card in the 15th minute, but the hosts of the
contest remained composed and continued to dictate the tempo. Savita took over
in goal at the start of the second quarter as India maintained their attacking
approach.
The second goal arrived in the 17th minute through a
well-executed penalty-corner variation. Navneet Kaur changed the angle before
unleashing a low, powerful slap hit that found the backboard to double India’s
advantage.
India continued to attack in waves, with Navneet, Neha and
Deepika combining effectively around the circle. Another penalty corner
followed in the 24th minute after Navneet created space inside the circle, and
India soon made the pressure count again.
In the 25th minute, Deepika’s drag-flick took a deflection
off the first South African rusher and fell kindly for Sushila Chanu, who
reacted quickly to get the decisive touch and make it 3-0.
South Africa searched for a route back into the contest, but
India remained firmly in control and carried a commanding three-goal advantage
into the half-time interval.
India resumed the second half with the same attacking
intensity, moving the ball rapidly through midfield and repeatedly exposing
gaps in the South African defence. Salima and the Indian forwards continued to
stretch the opposition backline, while India’s defence remained alert to
counter-attacking threats.
The fourth goal arrived in the 38th minute following another
superb attacking move. Navneet exchanged passes with Baljeet on the left before
cutting the ball back to Deepika. The Indian drag-flick specialist controlled
the ball on her backhand and unleashed a powerful tomahawk into the bottom far
corner, leaving van Tonder with no chance.
The third quarter belonged entirely to India, who continued
to attack with pace, precision and purpose. Two goals in the space of two
minutes put the result beyond doubt.
In the 44th minute, Lalremsiami received an aerial ball from
Neha inside the circle, cut onto her reverse and fired towards the far post.
Her effort beat the goalkeeper to make it 5-0.
India struck again just a minute later. Salima carried the
ball forward on the right before finding Ishika, whose attempt struck the post.
Sakshi Rana reacted quickest to the rebound, sending a powerful reverse hit
into the top corner to complete India’s sixth goal.
India entered the final quarter with a commanding 6-0 lead,
with six different players having found the back of the net — a reflection of
the variety, depth and quality of their attacking unit.
South Africa continued to fight until the final whistle and
were rewarded in the 55th minute when Kayla de Waal converted a penalty corner.
Pearce’s drag-flick took a deflection off the first Indian rusher before de
Waal reacted quickest at the far post to reduce the deficit to 1-6.
India, however, remained composed in the closing stages and comfortably saw out the contest to complete a comprehensive 6-1 victory.
The result earns India three valuable points and provides a major boost to their campaign as they strengthen their position at the top of Pool D. With their unbeaten run intact, India will now turn their attention to their final pool-stage match against England on 20 August, aiming to carry the momentum from this emphatic performance into their next challenge.
