Amstelveen: Six different players got on the scoresheet as the Indian women’s hockey team brushed aside South Africa 6-1 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, keeping themselves unbeaten and on top of Pool D at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.
India now have four points from two matches and lead the pool on goal difference. They had opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against China, the 2024 Olympic silver medallists, and came into this one wanting all three points.
An early let-off, then the breakthrough
South Africa had the first real chance. Kayla de Waal was through on goal in the fourth minute, only for Bichu Devi Kharibam to stand tall and keep the score level. India hit back straight away, Salima Tete driving down the right and picking out Sunelita Toppo, whose shot was saved by Marlise van Tonder.
The first penalty corner came in the seventh minute, Baljeet Kaur’s run down the left forcing a foot inside the circle. Deepika’s drag-flick was met by a full-length save from van Tonder.
India kept knocking. The goal arrived in the 11th minute after a patient spell of possession around the South African circle, Sakshi Rana’s effort finding its way towards the far post where Toppo was alert enough to finish.
Navneet and Sushila stretch the lead
A green card for Ishika Chaudhary in the 15th minute left India a player short for a spell, but the tempo did not drop. Savita took over in goal at the start of the second quarter.
The second goal, in the 17th minute, came off a well-worked penalty corner. Navneet Kaur changed the angle and drilled a low slap hit into the backboard.
Navneet, Neha and Deepika were combining well around the circle by then, and another penalty corner followed in the 24th minute after Navneet found space inside the D. India were 3-0 up a minute later when Deepika’s drag-flick took a deflection off the first rusher and dropped kindly for Sushila Chanu, who got the decisive touch.
South Africa were still searching for a way back at the interval, having spent most of the opening 30 minutes chasing the ball.
Third quarter runs away from South Africa
India came out after the break moving the ball quickly through midfield and finding gaps in the South African defence. The fourth goal, in the 38th minute, was the pick of them. Navneet exchanged passes with Baljeet on the left, the ball was cut back to Deepika, and she controlled it on her backhand before sending a tomahawk into the bottom far corner.
Two goals in two minutes followed. Lalremsiami took an aerial ball from Neha inside the circle in the 44th minute, cut onto her reverse and found the far post. A minute later Salima carried the ball forward on the right and fed Ishika, whose shot struck the post. Sakshi Rana got to the rebound first and lashed a reverse hit into the top corner.
De Waal gets one back
South Africa kept going and had something to show for it in the 55th minute. Pearce’s drag-flick from a penalty corner deflected off the first Indian rusher, and de Waal reacted quickest at the far post to make it 1-6.
India saw out the closing stages without any fuss.
England next
The three points give India a solid platform in their bid to reach the next stage. They finish their Pool D campaign against England on 20 August.
