India Women achieve best Hockey World Cup finish since 1974, beat Germany 3-1

Indian women staged a stunning second-half turnaround to beat Germany 3-1 to book fifth place at the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Thursday. The win sealed India’s best World Cup finish since their fourth-place finish in the inaugural edition in 1974.

India lost just one match in the tournament and entered the fifth-placed play-off knowing that a win would complete an impressive campaign. However, the match seemed destined for a tense finish after Germany dominated stretches of the first half and kept India’s attack at bay.

Commenting on India’s fifth-place finish, midfielder Neha said, “It’s really something to be proud of. Fifth place in the World Cup is a great achievement. I know we wanted to win the semi-final and the final, but that’s it. We’re happy to finish fifth.”

Neha also said that the Asian Games will be the next big challenge for India, especially with the Olympics in sight.

Also Read: Kings vs Pakistan, Paupers vs Big Teams: India’s Hockey Reality Revealed at World Cup

“The Asian Games is an important tournament for us, especially with the Olympics in mind. It will be a tough challenge because Asia has some strong teams, including China, Japan and Korea. We will give it our all, keep working on our game and keep fighting hard.”

GERMANY APPLY THE PRESSURE BUT INDIA HOLDS TIGHT

The opening quarter was even, with India taking a cautious approach and trying to threaten on the counter. Captain Salima Tete showed intent in the attacking third, but Germany gradually began to force turnovers and pressure the Indian defence.

Germany earned a penalty corner late in the quarter, but Bichu Devi made an important save from the opening attempt. The re-awarded penalty corner also did not trouble India and allowed the hosts to escape without conceding.

The second quarter was in a similar vein. Germany enjoyed more possession and attacking opportunities while India struggled to maintain sustained pressure in the final third. Germany earned another penalty corner in the 18th minute after the ball hit Sushil Chanu’s leg, but a poor injection allowed the chance to be squandered.

India finally found some rhythm midway through the quarter. Navneet Kaur forced Finja Starck into a save before Salima tested the German keeper twice more in quick succession. Starck stood firm and made three saves to maintain the deadlock.

ISHIKA NAVNEET TURN THE GAME AROUND

After halftime, the game changed significantly. India came out with more attacking intent and started looking for spaces behind the German defence. There was a worrying moment for India in the 38th minute when Jyoti slipped awkwardly and appeared to injure her knee before being helped off the field.

But the failure did not derail India. Five minutes later, Ishika Chaudhary provided the breakthrough with a moment of individual brilliance. She drove into the circle before unleashing a brilliant backstroke that flew past Starck to send India 1-0 up.

Germany barely recovered before India doubled their advantage. The first penalty corner of the game was earned by the team in the 44th minute, after a caught leg, another opportunity was awarded. Navneet took a touch and slapped the ball into the back of the net.

Within two minutes, India turned a goalless game into a 2-0 advantage and suddenly looked firmly in control.

NAVNEET STRIKES AGAIN HOW INDIA SURVIVES LATE FEAR

India carried their momentum into the final quarter and struck again just two minutes after the restart. Navneet showed tremendous composure in the circle as he rounded the keeper and calmly lifted the ball into the net to make it 3-0.

Germany refused to give up and increased the pressure as the clock ticked down. Having kept Germany frustrated for most of the match, India’s defense stood tall again. Savita Punia made crucial saves, including an emphatic save from a German penalty corner in the 53rd minute.

With just four minutes remaining, Germany were still looking for a way back. They finally found one in the 59th minute when Lynn Krings converted a rebound after Savita made two saves in quick succession.

Germany earned another penalty corner with seconds remaining, but India survived a late scare to complete a memorable 3-1 victory.

After a campaign defined by narrow margins, he provided an emphatic second-half performance for a fitting finale and gave Sjoerd Marijne’s team plenty of confidence heading into the Asian Games.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

27 Aug 2026 20:06 IST