Indian Men’s Team’s second Pool D match at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 / @TheHockeyIndia

India squandered an early second-half lead (2-1) to go down fighting to England 2-4 for its first defeat in the FIH Hockey World Cup at Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam on Monday. With this win, England moved to the top of the table with two wins from as many matches with a maximum of six points, while India continues at number two position with three points from two games.

India played Jugraj Singh for almost the entire game to bolster up its defence. Jugraj, who had earlier got his new pair of sticks duly approved after sitting out for the opening game against Wales.

Earlier, Pakistan and Wales played a 3-3 draw to remain in the number three and four positions with one point each.

India’s last game against Pakistan on Wednesday now assumes special significance, as Pakistan would go all out to win to remain in contention for a place in the quarterfinals. India enjoys the edge as it has a good goal average.

The loss to England came as a big heartbreak for Indians as they tried to stay together with England, successfully tormenting their defence with clever planning and strategy.

India started with Jugraj Singh as Dilpreet, Jarmanpreet and Shailanand Lakra were not in the starting XI as the sky was overcast. The game was important for both teams. A win could have taken either of the teams forward to the knockout stage. Both had won their previous matches. And England did it.

Jarmanpreet and Lakra were quickly brought in as Mandeep and Jugraj were substituted. Dilpreet also came in. He quickly worked out a move and put Jarmanpreet in a striking position, but the latter's shot was a little off the mark in the 8th minute. Team management played musical chairs with quick substitutions in the first quarter.

The game witnessed some rash and tough play as the unpires used their penalty cards frequently. Sumit got a green card in the 10th minute.

A hard-fought battle against England in the Indian Men’s Team’s second Pool D match at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh found the net for India as the team fought hard until the final whistle, before losing… pic.twitter.com/m6wDSGMJIX

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 17, 2026

England asked for a penalty corner after a rising shot by Phil Roper caught Jugraj in the knee. VR upheld, first penalty corner for England. India survived.

England was the first to score. In the 14th minute, Stuart Rushmere brought down an aerial pass to put unmarked Nicholas Bandurak in command, who surprised Indian goalkeeper Suraj Kerketta with a neat flick into the net. England was leading 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The first penalty corner for India came in the 17th minute, at which point England sought VR intervention. It was turned down. Harmanpreet made no mistake with the award to restore parity and make the score 1-1.

A good chance came for India to take the lead, but intervention by Lakra of a goal-bound shot deprived India of a chance. India earned its second penalty corner in the 20th minute. Harmanpreet tests goalkeeper, and from the resultant rebound, an attempted shot was deflected out. In the 25th minute, Dilpreet Singh made it 2-1 after a free hit and subsequent pass from Abhishek.

First penalty corner for England after a sticks strike in the 30th minute. The chance was wasted, as the ball could not be stopped. At the interval, India  was leading 2-1.

Second penalty corner for England in the 35th minute. Again, the ball could not be stopped. Wasted.

England foxed Indian defence with long cross hits before sending a centre that saw Stuart Rushmere making the crucial touch to deflect the ball home to make the score 2-2 in the 40th minute.

Henry Croft puts England ahead with a neat shot in the 43rd minute after getting a centre from the right flank. England wrested back the command of the game with a 3-2 lead at the end of quarter 3.

In the 47th minute, India got a penalty corner. Harmanpreet’s flick saved and deflected out.

India asked for a penalty corner after Mandeep claimed he was pushed from behind while he was trying to hit the ball in the striking circle. India lost its video referral.

Umpire awarded a penalty corner to England in the 54th minute by penalising Indian players for overreach in handling an aerial ball. Subsequently England again uses VR to demand a penalty corner from a goalmouth skirmish.

England got the approval of the VR. The resultant penalty corner was blocked, and England earned another one that the Indian defence cleared.

Another penalty corner for England in the 55th minute. This time Nicholas Bandurak found the target to make it 4-2.

England won 4-2.

 

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