Archive · 24 Aug 2026
India’s Women’s Hockey World Cup Medal Dream Ends in Tears
India’s women’s hockey team wanted to reach the World Cup semifinals.
They played Australia, but neither team scored.
The 0-0 draw left both teams level on points.
India was knocked out because Australia had a better goal difference.
Many Indian players cried because they felt this was a very important chance.
India has never won a medal at the women’s Hockey World Cup.
The team will now play for fifth place on August 27.
Captain Salima Tete said the players would stay together and keep fighting.
India drew 0-0 with Australia in Amstelveen and missed the semifinals.
The teams finished level on points, but India was eliminated on goal difference.
India’s players and staff were visibly heartbroken after losing their medal opportunity.
India has never won a women’s Hockey World Cup medal; its best finish was fourth in 1974.
India will play the fifth-sixth place match on August 27 after a three-day break.
- Who
- India’s women’s hockey team and Australia’s team; India’s players included captain Salima Tete and goalkeeper Savita Punia.
- What
- India drew 0-0 with Australia and was eliminated from the World Cup semifinals on goal difference.
- When
- The match took place on Sunday; India’s fifth-sixth place match is scheduled for August 27.
- Where
- Amstelveen.
- Why
- India and Australia were level on points, but Australia advanced because of the better goal difference.
- Match result
- India 0-0 Australia
- Qualification outcome
- India missed the semifinals on goal difference
- India’s World Cup record
- India has never won a women’s Hockey World Cup medal
- Previous best finish
- Fourth place at the inaugural edition in France in 1974
- Next match
- Fifth-sixth place match on August 27
- Team experience
- Eleven Indian players were appearing at their first World Cup
- Goalkeeper
- Savita Punia was playing in her third World Cup and had 318 caps
