Amstelveen, Aug 17: Buoyed by their spirited 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists and world No. 4 China, India will look to convert their promising start into a first win when they take on 18th-ranked South Africa in their second Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 here on Tuesday.
India produced a disciplined and determined display against a fancied Chinese side in their tournament opener to earn a valuable point. The result has placed them level with China in Pool D, while England currently lead the standings after their 4-0 victory over South Africa.
With the top two teams from each pool advancing to the next stage, Tuesday’s contest assumes added significance for India. A victory would strengthen their qualification prospects and provide crucial momentum ahead of their final pool encounter.
The tournament format also makes every point important. If India and China both progress to the second round, their result against the other team from Pool D that advances will be carried forward. Their 2-2 draw therefore means both sides would take one point into the next stage if they qualify.
India’s opening performance offered several positives. Navneet Kaur and Deepika continued their impressive scoring form, while Deepika converted a penalty corner and earned another. World Cup debutants Sunelita Toppo, Ishika and Shilpi Dabas also displayed composure beyond their experience.
However, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne wants his side to improve its ball possession and retention after India surrendered some control against China in the second half.
“We are not focused on calculations or who is winning against whom. For us, it’s most important to focus on ourselves, focus on our strengths,” Marijne said.
“We created chances. That was something very positive. I think defensively we were very strong. We need to work on double turnovers: winning the ball, keeping the ball. That’s something we can do better,” he added.
India led China 2-1 at half-time but saw their intensity dip in the third quarter, allowing the Asian side to regain control and eventually equalise.
“We scored a penalty corner and a field goal, but I’m not happy with the third quarter. We need to work on ball possession and ball retention. The team must have felt relieved after the draw in the first match,” Marijne said.
South Africa, meanwhile, will enter the contest under pressure after suffering a 0-4 defeat to England in their opening game. Despite their lower world ranking, Marijne has warned his players against complacency.
“Now we face South Africa, and I have told the girls not to take things lightly. South Africa is also a good team…so we need to be ready for that one,” he said.
Marijne also urged his players to concentrate on maintaining their momentum rather than worrying about the permutations in Pool D.
“We don’t have to worry about the other teams’ positions, but we need to maintain this momentum in the upcoming matches while avoiding complacency,” he said.
India will draw confidence from their resilience against China, but the focus now will be on producing a more complete performance, particularly in possession and in the attacking third.
India’s best-ever World Cup finish came at the inaugural edition in 1974, when they finished fourth. Their fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics under Marijne had also raised expectations of another strong showing on the international stage.
With three points potentially putting them in a strong position in Pool D, India will hope to turn their opening-day promise into victory against South Africa.
