Navneet and Deepika score as India withstand China’s second-half fightback in an action-packed Pool D opener

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

AMSTELVEEN (NETHERLANDS), AUGUST 16, 2026

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team made a spirited start to their FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 campaign, holding 2024 Olympic silver medallists China to a hard-fought 2-2 draw at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Sunday. India looked the more assertive side for long periods of the first half, with Navneet and Deepika finding the net, before China mounted a determined second-half comeback to secure a share of the spoils.

Playing their opening match of the tournament, India began brightly and immediately put China under pressure with their attacking intent and sustained possession. Lalremsiami was at the centre of India’s early attacking moves, earning the first penalty corner of the match after drawing a foul inside the circle. Navneet stepped up to take the set piece, but her powerful effort was well dealt with by the Chinese defence.

India continued to press and were rewarded in the eighth minute. Neha sent the ball into the circle from outside the D, and Navneet provided the final touch to put India ahead. The goal was just reward for India’s sustained pressure as they continued to look the more threatening side during the opening quarter.

China gradually grew into the contest and began creating opportunities of their own. A dangerous ball from Li Hong into the circle took a deflection off an Indian stick before China were awarded a penalty stroke in the 14th minute following a foul inside the circle. India referred the decision, but the original call was upheld. Ying Zhang made no mistake from the spot, wrong-footing Savita to level the scores.

India remained composed after conceding and started the second quarter strongly. Shilpi produced a brave defensive intervention early in the quarter to block a Chinese attempt inside the circle. At the other end, India continued to find openings in China’s defence, with Navneet winning another penalty corner after getting behind the first line of defence.

India came close to restoring their lead as they continued to move the ball around the Chinese circle. In the 24th minute, Deepika produced a fine individual effort, dribbling into the circle and all the way to the baseline before drawing a foul and earning another penalty corner.

Deepika then stepped up to take the resulting set piece and unleashed a powerful drag-flick into the net in the 25th minute, restoring India’s lead.

India carried their 2-1 advantage into half-time after an energetic opening half in which they created several opportunities and kept China under sustained pressure.

China emerged from the interval with renewed intensity and immediately put India on the back foot. The Chinese side pressed higher up the pitch and created a series of opportunities inside the Indian circle. Savita was called into action early in the third quarter, making an important save to deny China after a deflection created danger in front of goal.

The pressure eventually told in the 39th minute when China earned a penalty corner. Ma Ning produced a superb drag-flick to beat the Indian defence and bring the scores level at 2-2.

China continued to dominate possession and territory for the remainder of the third quarter, earning another penalty corner soon after. Savita once again stood tall, making a sharp low save to deny China. India were forced to defend deep as China maintained their high press, but the Indian defence held firm to ensure the teams entered the final quarter level.

The fourth quarter continued in a similar vein, with China pressing for the winning goal while India worked hard to regain control and find a way through the Chinese defensive lines. India finally created a promising opening in the 52nd minute when Navneet’s cutback found Lalremsiami inside the circle, but her attempt was crowded out by the Chinese defence.

China continued to threaten from penalty corners in the closing stages and earned another opportunity in the 57th minute. The initial drag-flick took a deflection and bounced around inside the circle before China were awarded another penalty corner. India, however, defended the situation successfully.

Neither side could find the decisive goal in the final minutes, and the two teams settled for a 2-2 draw. India will now turn their attention to their next Pool D encounter as they look to build on a spirited opening performance at the World Cup.

Following the opening round of matches, England sit at the top of the Pool D standings after their 4-0 victory over South Africa. India and China are level on points in second place, while South Africa occupy fourth position.

India will next take on South Africa on 18 August as they look to secure their first win of the tournament. Before that, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team will face England in their second World Cup match on 17 August.