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FIH Hockey: Disappointing day for South Asian giants as European dominance continues
European teams, both men and women, continue to dominate proceedings both at Amstelveen (the Netherlands) and Wavre (Belgium).
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Mon, 17, Aug 2026
- 14:26 EDT
- 21
FIH Hockey World Cup / @FIH_Hockey
It was a heartbreaking day for South Asian teams in the FIH World Cups for men and women on Monday. While India went down fighting England 2-4, Pakistan drew its match with Wales 3-3.
Today’s outcomes further impact chances of two former World Cup champions. Pakistan will need to beat India to qualify for the quarterfinals, while India will need only a draw to move up in the elimination round.
So far, South Asian teams in general and Asian teams in particular have mixed experiences.
Also Read: FIH Hockey: England overcomes 1-2 deficit to beat India 4-2
India started well in the men's section with a 3-1 win over Wales while Pakistan lost its first game to England. While India lost its second game to England 2-4, its women held China to a 2-2 draw.
Japan lost its opener to Australian women before beating Chile 3-0 in the second game.
Indian women now play South Africa on Tuesday.
European teams, both men and women, continue to dominate proceedings both at Amstelveen (the Netherlands) and Wavre (Belgium).
Though there have been no big upsets so far, some of the games have been close.
The United States, after holding Argentina to a 1-1 draw yesterday, beat Scotland 3-2 for its first win in two games. The US girls are now a serious contender for a place in the quarterfinals.
In another match, Argentina surprised Germany 3-2. It was also first win for the South American women in two games.
It was a day of drawn games in the men's section. Malaysia held France to a 3-3 draw, while Pakistan and Wales also played a similar 3-3 draw. The only game that produced a result was the England-India encounter that the former won 4-2.
All the results of Day 3
Women: Japan beat Chile 3-0
USA beat Scotland 3-2
Japan beat Chile 3-0
The Netherlands beat Australia 5-2 (4-2)
Officially it is 4-2.
Men: England beat India 4-2
Malaysia drew with France 3-3
Pakistan drew with Wales 3-3
Four former international women's hockey stars of the Netherlands, including Margaret van Goffen, who represented the Netherlands 265 times, and Eva Drummond, with 266 international caps, who came with their babies, during the interval of the match between Australia and the Netherlands were felicitated.
One of the surprise guests to the media box as former Australian star, Dr Richard Charlesworth, "Rick," to hockey lovers the world over. He was seen taking notes during the Australia-the Netherlands game. He was seen exchanging pleasantries with Indian coaches, men and women, as they also happened to be in the media box.
Australia won six penalty corners in a span of 90 seconds in the first quarter but could not make use of any. Playing before a nearly packed Wagener Stadium, the home team took 2-0 lead in the first half.
Yibbi Jensen (13th minute) and Joosje Burg (21st minute) scored for the Netherlands in the first half, while Stephanie Kershaw (23rd minute) reduced the margin.
There was a confusion after the Dutch scored its third goal. While the official scoreboard did not show it as a goal, the FIH website showed it as a goal.
After changing ends, Pien Dicke scored after the ball hit the crosspiece and bounced back into play. The Aussies asked for a video referral. The goal was allowed 3-1, but the scoreboard at the venue, however, continued to show a 2-1 lead for the home team. In the 49th minute when Abigail Wilson scored, the Dutch girls objected to the award of the goal and sought VR. The video referee declared it a goal. While the FIH official site continued to show the score 3-2 for the Netherlands, the scoreboard read 2-2.
In the 51st minute, Jose de Ward made no mistake from a penalty corner rebound to make the score 4-2 (3-2 on the scoreboard). In the 55th minute Marijn Veen made it 5-2 (4-2 on the scoreboard) from a goalmouth melee.
Officially, the result was 4-2 for the Netherlands, as the third goal was declared invalid.
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