Archive · 12 Sep 2026
India’s Women’s Hockey Team Overcomes China Mental Block
India’s women’s hockey team had a strong showing at the Women’s Hockey World Cup.
It finished fifth, its best result in more than 50 years.
India also drew 2-2 with China, a very strong team.
This was important because China had beaten India 4-0 at the 2023 Asian Games.
That earlier loss had made China seem especially difficult to beat.
India’s recent performance gave its players more confidence.
India now hopes to win Asian Games gold and qualify directly for the 2028 Olympics.
China is still a major challenge, but India no longer sees it as an unbeatable opponent.
India finished fifth at the Women’s Hockey World Cup, its best result in more than half a century.
India drew 2-2 with China, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist, in the World Cup group stage.
The result helped India move past memories of China’s 4-0 win at the 2023 Asian Games.
China remains India’s strongest continental obstacle to Asian Games gold and a direct 2028 Olympics berth.
India later defeated a weaker Chinese team twice at the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023.
- Who
- India’s women’s hockey team and China’s women’s hockey team, with India captain Savita Punia discussing the result.
- What
- India drew 2-2 with China at the Women’s Hockey World Cup and reduced a longstanding mental barrier ahead of the Asian Games.
- When
- The draw took place during the Women’s Hockey World Cup; the key earlier defeat occurred at the 2023 Asian Games.
- Where
- The draw was played in the Women’s Hockey World Cup group stage, while the 2023 Asian Games semifinal was held in Hangzhou.
- Why
- The result strengthened India’s confidence before pursuing Asian Games gold and a direct berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- World Cup finish
- India finished fifth, its best result in more than half a century.
- India-China result
- India and China drew 2-2 in the World Cup group stage.
- China’s Olympic status
- China was the silver medallist at the 2024 Olympics.
- 2023 Asian Games semifinal
- China defeated India 4-0 and ended India’s hopes of Asian Games gold and an Olympics berth.
- Recent meetings
- India defeated China twice later in 2023 at the Asian Champions Trophy.
- Upcoming target
- India is seeking Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.