Archive · 23 Aug 2026
India Faces Must-Win Australia Clash in Hockey World Cup
India is trying to reach the semi-finals of the hockey World Cup.
It has one point after two Pool E matches.
India lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in its previous game.
It now needs to beat Australia on Sunday.
Even a win may not be enough by itself.
India also needs China to lose or draw against the Netherlands.
If China wins, China will have more points than India.
India’s coach, Sjoerd Marijne, described the Australia match as being like a quarter-final.
India must beat Australia in Amstelveen to keep its semi-final hopes alive.
A win would give India four points, but qualification would still depend on China’s result against the Netherlands.
If the Netherlands beat or draw with China, India would qualify in second place with four points after defeating Australia.
If China beats the Netherlands, China would reach five points and India could not qualify with four.
An India-Australia draw would likely make goal difference decisive if China loses to the Netherlands.
- Who
- India, led by captain Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, faces Australia; the Netherlands and China are involved in the other Pool E match.
- What
- India is seeking a semi-final place in the 2026 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup.
- When
- Sunday; the articles do not provide an exact date.
- Where
- Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.
- Why
- India needs points and a favorable result in the Netherlands-China match to advance.
- India's record
- One win and two draws in the first-round pool stage, followed by a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands.
- India's Pool E points
- One point after two matches.
- India's required result
- A victory over Australia would give India four points.
- Helpful result
- India needs the Netherlands to beat or draw with China.
- China win scenario
- A China victory over the Netherlands would give China five points, leaving India's four points insufficient.
- Draw scenario
- If India draws with Australia and China loses to the Netherlands, India, Australia and China would each have two points, making goal difference decisive.
- Coach's assessment
- Sjoerd Marijne called the Australia match a quarter-final because games against Australia are usually close.