India’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a setback after the women’s team went down 0-2 to defending champions Netherlands in their opening second-stage match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Friday.
Yibbi Jansen (2nd minute) and Frederique Matla (38th) scored for the Netherlands, who sealed their place in the semi-finals with the victory.
The result left India on one point in Pool E, carried forward from their draw against China in the first stage. The Netherlands moved to six points after adding three points to those carried forward. China, who drew with Australia earlier in the day, have two points, while Australia are level with India on one point.
The Netherlands made a fast start and broke the deadlock within 81 seconds. The hosts won an early penalty corner, and Jansen fired past goalkeeper Bichu Devi to give her side the lead.
The Dutch continued to press, with Bichu making a fine left-foot save from another penalty corner in the fifth minute before denying Freeke Moes shortly afterwards. India gradually settled into the contest, making their first circle entry in the ninth minute. Salima Tete registered India’s first shot three minutes later, but her effort went over the goal.
The Netherlands came close to doubling their lead in the 13th minute when another penalty-corner effort struck the post, leaving India just one goal behind at the end of the first quarter.
Savita replaced Bichu in goal at the start of the second quarter and was immediately called into action. India earned their first penalty corner in the 19th minute, but Deepika’s flick was blocked by the Dutch defence, while the retake was stopped by a defender’s stick.
Navneet Kaur came close to equalising in the 22nd minute, but her effort from inside the circle sailed over the crossbar. At the other end, Savita made several important saves, including interventions against Felice Albers and during a goalmouth scramble, to keep India in contention at half-time.
The Netherlands stepped up the pressure after the break. Salima produced a crucial block from a Dutch penalty corner in the 33rd minute, while India nearly found an equaliser on the counterattack, but Sunelita’s effort lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper.
The hosts, however, extended their lead in the 38th minute when Matla converted another penalty corner to make it 2-0.
India searched for a way back in the final quarter, but the Netherlands continued to control the tempo. Moes struck the post in the 54th minute, while Savita remained alert to thwart further Dutch attacks.
India pushed forward in the closing stages, with Navneet coming closest to scoring in the 59th minute. However, Netherlands goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal made a brave save, taking a blow to her helmet in the process.
The Netherlands also earned a penalty corner in the dying seconds, but Ishika made a goal-line save as the defending champions closed out a 2-0 victory.
India will now need to beat Australia in their final Pool E match and hope the Netherlands defeat China to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
(With inputs from IANS)
