By Prabhjot Singh | Netherlands |
India wrapped up their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign on a winning note with an impressive 3-1 victory over Germany to finish fifth, their best result in the tournament since 1974.
Two goals from Navneet Kaur and one from Ishika, backed by strong goalkeeping from Bichu Devi and Savita, gave India a convincing win in the fifth-place playoff.
India had finished fourth at the inaugural women’s World Cup in 1974, and no subsequent Indian side has matched that achievement. The fifth-place finish in Amsterdam therefore marks their best World Cup performance in 52 years.
The opening half against Germany remained goalless despite India enjoying a slight territorial advantage and creating several chances. Navneet set up an early opportunity in the fourth minute, but Salima Tete failed to connect with the ball across goal.
Germany also earned several penalty corners but could not capitalise, while goalkeeper Bichu Devi made an important clearance to deny Lena Micheel in the 34th minute.
India finally broke through in the 43rd minute when Ishika found the target. Soon afterwards, Navneet converted a penalty corner with a low shot to put India 2-0 ahead.
Navneet then struck again from a goalmouth scramble, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper and a defender to make it 3-0.
Germany continued to press and earned further penalty corners, but India’s defence held firm. Lyn Krings eventually reduced the deficit in the 59th minute, but Germany could get no closer.
India can take considerable encouragement from their overall campaign. They defeated South Africa 6-1 and Germany 3-1, lost only to hosts the Netherlands 2-0, and drew with China, England and Australia. Their 2-2 result against Olympic silver medallists and Asian champions China was particularly significant.
However, India’s inability to convert opportunities, particularly penalty corners, remains a concern. Since the departure of Gurjit Kaur, the team has struggled to find a dependable drag-flick specialist.
Defensively, however, India performed strongly throughout the tournament.
The focus now shifts quickly to the Asian Games in Japan, where winning gold would secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India finished third at the previous Asian Games, but their World Cup showing should give the team confidence that they can challenge for the continental title.
India did win the Asian Games gold in 1982 and a couple of other continental tournaments. In the truncated Moscow Olympic Games, Indian team led by Rupa Saini, just missed winning a bronze medal as it finished fourth. The next best performance for women’s team came in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where they also missed winning the country’s first ever Olympic medal.
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(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics)
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