India beat South Africa 6-1 at Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen, Netherlands; tops Pool D on goal difference

Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026: India rattle South Africa 6-1 for first win of tournament

Six different players scored as unbeaten India moved to the top of Pool D on goal difference. India will face England in their final pool match on Thursday.

India registered their first win of the Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 , beating South Africa 6-1 in their second Pool D match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Tuesday.

Sunelita Toppo (11’), Navneet Kaur (17’), Sushila Chanu (25’), Deepika (38’), Lalremsiami Hmarzote (44’) and Sakshi Rana (45’) scored for world No. 9 India. Kayla de Waal (55’) pulled one back for 18th-ranked South Africa.

India, who held Olympic silver medallists People’s Republic of China to a 2-2 draw in their opening match, remain unbeaten with four points from two games.

The victory also lifted India to the top of Pool D on goal difference. China are also on four points after beating England 4-2 earlier on Tuesday, while England have three. South Africa are yet to open their account.

South Africa created the first major opportunity of the match in the fourth minute when de Waal found herself through on goal but Bichu Devi Kharibam made an important save.

India responded immediately, with captain Salima Tete driving forward on the right before finding Sunelita, whose effort was kept out by South African goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder.

India continued to build pressure and earned their first penalty corner in the seventh minute after Baljeet Kaur’s work down the left resulted in a South African foot inside the circle. Deepika took the set piece, but van Tonder produced a full-length save to deny the drag-flick.

The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute as India patiently worked the ball around the South African circle before Sakshi Rana’s attempt reached Sunelita at the far post. The 19-year-old hockey player reacted sharply to apply the finishing touch and put India ahead.

India doubled their advantage two minutes into the second quarter through a well-worked penalty corner routine. Navneet changed the angle before firing a low slap hit into the backboard to make it 2-0.

The Indian attack continued to create openings and a penalty corner in the 25th minute produced their third goal.

Deepika’s drag-flick took a deflection off the first rusher and fell to Sushila Chanu, who got the decisive touch to give India a commanding 3-0 advantage.

India carried the three-goal lead into half-time and maintained their attacking intensity after the break.

Deepika added the fourth in the 38th minute following an excellent team move. Navneet and Baljeet combined on the left before the ball was cut back to Deepika, who controlled it on her backhand and unleashed a powerful tomahawk into the far corner.

India then struck twice in quick succession towards the end of the third quarter.

Lalremsiami Hmarzote made it 5-0 in the 44th minute after receiving an aerial ball from Neha inside the circle. She shifted onto her reverse before firing past the goalkeeper.

A minute later, Salima carried the ball forward down the right and found Ishika Chaudhary, whose effort struck the post. Sakshi reacted quickest to the rebound and smashed a reverse hit into the top corner to complete India’s six-goal haul.

With six different players on the scoresheet, India entered the final quarter firmly in control.

South Africa continued to search for a consolation and were rewarded in the 55th minute.

A penalty-corner drag-flick from Hannah Pearce took a deflection off the first Indian rusher, with de Waal reacting quickest at the far post to make it 6-1.

India comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to secure all three points and strengthen their position in Pool D.

India will conclude their Pool D campaign against England on Thursday as they look to secure a top-two finish in the first group stage of the FIH Hockey World Cup .

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