Amstelveen: Indian women’s team’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a setback as defending champions Netherlands secured a 2-0 victory in their opening second-stage match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Friday.
The result leaves India on one point in Pool E, carried forward from their draw against China in the first stage of the tournament, while the Netherlands moved to six points after adding three to the three they had carried forward. China, who drew with Australia earlier in the day, are on two points, while Australia are level with India on one.
For the winners, Yibbi Jansen (2’) and Frederique Matla (38’) were the goal-scorers.
The Netherlands needed only 81 seconds to break the deadlock. Applying a full press from the outset, the Dutch quickly won a penalty corner, and Jansen made no mistake, firing past goalkeeper Bichu Devi to her left.
The hosts continued to threaten, with Bichu producing an excellent left-foot save from another penalty corner in the fifth minute before denying Freeke Moes moments later. India gradually found their footing and made their first circle entry in the ninth minute, while Salima Tete had India’s first shot three minutes later, although her effort lobbed over the post.
The Netherlands nearly doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when the shot on another penalty corner struck the post, leaving India relieved to remain only one goal behind at the end of the opening quarter.
Savita took over in goal at the start of the second quarter and was immediately called upon to keep India in the contest.
India earned their first penalty corner in the 19th minute, but Deepika’s flick was blocked when it struck the rusher’s foot; the subsequent retake was stopped by a Dutch stick.
Navneet Kaur came close in the 22nd minute when she got on the end of a pass inside the circle, but her effort flew just over the crossbar. At the other end, Savita made a series of important interventions, denying Felice Albers and then standing tall during a goalmouth scramble to ensure the Netherlands did not extend their lead before half-time.
The third quarter saw the Dutch intensify the pressure. A penalty corner in the 33rd minute was superbly blocked by a rushing Salima, while India almost fashioned an equaliser on the counter, but Sunelita’s push from inside the circle lacked power to trouble the Dutch goalkeeper.
The Netherlands finally found their second goal in the 38th minute. After earning another penalty corner, Frederique Matla’s effort found its way past the Indian defence and the player stationed on the post to make it 2-0.
India entered the final quarter needing an early goal, but the Netherlands continued to dictate the tempo. Freeke Moes struck the post in the 54th minute, while Savita remained alert to deny another Dutch attack two minutes later.
India pressed forward in the closing stages and Navneet came closest in the 59th minute, only for goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal to make a brave save, taking a blow to her helmet in the process. The Netherlands earned one final penalty corner in the dying seconds, but Ishika made the save on the post.
The defending champions saw out the final moments comfortably to seal a 2-0 win and confirm their place in the semi-finals, while India will now need a win over Australia in their last Pool E match and also want Netherlands to beat China in order to enter the semi-finals.
(IANS)
