AMSTELVEEN, AUG 22 (IANS): The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 1-3 defeat against co-hosts the Netherlands in their opening Pool E match of Stage 2 at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, leaving their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread.
The result moved the Netherlands to six points at the top of the pool, with three points added to the three they carried forward from the first stage, while India remain without a point. India’s next match is against Argentina, who are also yet to open their account.
England, who have three points, face Argentina later on Saturday. Should England win that encounter, India’s mathematical chances of reaching the semi-finals will come to an end.
The match remained goalless for more than two quarters before Duco Telgenkamp broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to put the Netherlands ahead. Tjep Hoedemakers then doubled the advantage in the 51st minute with a neat deflection.
India responded almost immediately, with Harmanpreet Singh finally converting a penalty corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, the Netherlands restored their two-goal cushion just four minutes later when Thijs van Dam finished a swift counter-attack to make it 3-1.
The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 Netherlands victory, sending the co-hosts into the semi-finals and leaving India needing a win against Argentina while relying heavily on the outcome of the remaining Pool E fixtures to keep their campaign alive.
