Indian Women’s Team stormed past South Africa 6-1 to move to the top of Pool D at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 / X@TheHockeyIndia

India recorded its biggest win in the women's World Cup at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, defeating South Africa 6-1. The win, first for India in two games, strengthens its chances of making the knockout round from the group, wherein an earlier match saw China topple England 4-2, to throw open the group.

India and China now share the number one position in the group. Since India has a better goal average, it takes the top position, while China comes next. England, with one win from two games, is at number three, while winless South Africa is at the bottom of the group.

India has now a game against England in hand while China plays the winless South Africans.

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India started with Bichu Devi in the goal. Though India went on the offensive right from the start, it was South Africa that drew the first penalty corner after Bichu Devi executed a good save of a field move by Caylin Mariee.

The first penalty corner for India came in the seventh minute, saved and deflected out.

India took the lead in the 11th minute after a goalmouth melee, with Sunelita Toppo finding the target. At the end of the first quarter, India was sitting pretty with a one-goal lead.

As the game moved to the second quarter, India earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute. It was Navneet who made no mistake with a direct grounder to put India 2-0 up.

A brilliant single-handed run by Onthatile Zulu in the 23rd minute had the Indian defence on its toes, but her effort could not be utilised by her team.

India retaliated and earned a penalty corner in the 24th minute. Navneet’s first attempt got a defender on her foot, resulting in another penalty corner. This time a couple of attempts on the South African goal followed before another penalty corner was awarded to India. This time, India managed to put the rebound to full use as Sushila found the target to make it 3-0.

The Indian team is in full flow and earns yet another penalty corner as South African players panic under pressure. India could not make use of another penalty corner it got in the 27th minute. India led 3-0 at the interval.

Onthatile Zulu again exhibited her brilliant ball control and speed as she attempted yet another solo. But again, her effort lacked finish in the 32nd minute. Earlier, even Nisopa Mokoena made a similar solo effort with a brilliant run down the left flank but, like Zulu, lacked the finish.

Good attempt by Navneet of Salima Tete. However, the goalkeeper had her pads to the shot. South Africans, however, could not deny India fourth goal as a minute later in the 38th minute, Deepika sounded the board after an exchange of passes between Baljeet, Navneet and Deepika.

Zulu in the 40th minute earns a penalty corner that proved abortive.

Lalremsiami made it 5-0 with a rasping drive from the top of the circle in the 43rd minute. And another field goal followed for India. After a shot from the top of the circle from the right flank hit the goalpost and bounced back into play, Sakshi Rana made no mistake with the freeball with a reverse flick into the net to make it 6-0, the highest score of the tournament so far.

South Africa drew a consolation when it scored from a penalty corner in the 56th minute, to which India objected and wanted a video review. The VR upheld the goal to make the score 1-6.

Ishika was injured with less than 15 seconds remaining and had to be escorted out with an injury on her forehead. India won 6-1, its biggest win in the World Cup.

Earlier, in the first game of the day, China sprang a surprise by defeating England 4-2.

The match between China and England played with an overcast sky with intermittent drizzle at times started on a brisk note with either side looking for an opportunity to forge ahead. The first quarter, however, remained barren.

China, desperate for a win to stay in the hunt for a place in the quarterfinals, looked more organised and penetrative in its attacks in the second quarter. China had split points with India in the opening game while England had beaten South Africa 4-0.

After a barren first quarter, China started calling the shots from 18th minute onwards. Meirong Zou set the ball rolling after she made full use of a free ball in the striking circle to put it past the English goalkeeper. In the next five minutes, China took its tally to three goals with goals from Yang Chen in the 21st minute and  Chencheng Liu in the 23rd minute.

China continued its scoring spree in the third quarter when Zou Meirong completed a brace with a neat goal in the 35th minute.

England after missing a couple of good scoring chances, at last managed to reduce the margin through Tessa Howard in the 54th minute. Sophie Hamilton was the nest to get on the England’s scoring list with a good placement in the 57th minute.

Elated at its second goal, England withdrew its goalkeeper and brought in a forward. But the move came too late to be of any use.

China won 4-2.

 

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