Archive · 22 Aug 2026
India Face Australia in Hockey World Cup Semifinal Bid
India’s women’s hockey team is trying to reach the World Cup semifinals.
They will play Australia on Sunday.
India lost their last match 2-0 to the Netherlands, but they can still qualify.
If the Netherlands beats China and India beats Australia, India will advance.
If China wins, the qualification calculation will be harder.
India has defended very well during the tournament.
Their goalkeepers and defenders have stopped many dangerous attacks.
The team now needs to score more goals against Australia.
India will play Australia on Sunday in a virtual World Cup quarterfinal.
A victory would send India to the semifinals if the Netherlands beats China.
India lost 0-2 to defending champions Netherlands in their opening second-round match.
India’s defense has impressed, including saving all 12 of England’s penalty corners.
India must improve its finishing, with Deepika expected to be important in attack.
- Who
- The Indian women’s hockey team will play Australia, with the Netherlands and China also affecting qualification.
- What
- India and Australia will contest a virtual quarterfinal for a place in the women’s Hockey World Cup semifinals.
- When
- The match is scheduled for Sunday; the report is dated August 22.
- Where
- Amstelveen.
- Why
- India needs a strong result, particularly a win, to remain in contention for a semifinal berth.
- India’s latest result
- Lost 0-2 to defending champions Netherlands in the first second-round match.
- Qualification route
- If the Netherlands beats China, an Indian win over Australia would take India through.
- Points situation
- The report lists India with one point, while the Netherlands has six and China and Australia have two each.
- Goal difference
- China is reported at 0, while India and Australia are both at -2.
- Defensive record
- India defended all 12 of England’s penalty corners and limited the Netherlands to two penalty-corner goals.
- India-Australia record
- India has one win, two losses and one draw in their four recent matches against Australia.
- Tournament experience
- India’s squad includes 11 World Cup debutants, while captain Savita has 317 international appearances.
