FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026: India crash out after 0-0 draw against Australia

India finish third in Pool E, level on points with both Australia and China

India women’s hockey team’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 ended in frustration after a goalless draw against Australia in their decisive Pool E encounter at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Sunday. 

With only a win taking India through, the draw favoured Australia, who advanced to the last four by virtue of having scored more goals against Pool E rivals. Australia will join defending champions Netherlands in the semi-finals from this pool.

India finished third in the pool with a better goal difference of -2 compared to China’s -3, while both had two points. India will now play for the 5th-6th position.

Related: India vs Australia Highlights, FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026

Australia started with greater possession and immediately put India under pressure. The early exchanges were scrappy, particularly around the goalmouth, and Australia thought they had taken the lead in the second minute.

However, India immediately sought a video referral and the goal was overturned after replays showed the ball had come off an Australian attacker’s stick into the body of an Indian defender.

India had brief forays into the Australian circle but struggled to turn possession into meaningful opportunities.

An unforced error in defence nearly presented Australia with another opening, as Sushila Chanu’s 16-yard hit in the eighth minute was intercepted by an Australian stick.

Savita then produced a crucial save in the 10th minute, palming the ball away to keep out Amy Lawton’s effort. India responded with an attacking move, but Navneet was penalised for a stick-check inside the circle.

Four minutes later, Salima made good progress down the right before Navneet’s attempt to push the ball through a crowd of sticks was cleared by the Australian defence.

Related: FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Points Table Round 2

Bichu Devi, who replaced Savita in goal at the start of the second quarter, was immediately called into action and made a fine diving save in the 19th minute to deny Grace Young.

India continued to find the right flank their most productive route, with Salima and Navneet combining repeatedly. Yet Australia’s defensive structure remained compact and difficult to break. 

The pressure of the result was evident, with both sides showing nervousness in the attacking 23-yard area, with India desperate for a win.

India were dealt further blows when Ishika was forced off after taking a blow to the head, before Lalremsiami also left the pitch after appearing to injure her left leg. However, both returned to the pitch after receiving medical attention. 

India finally earned their first penalty corner in the 30th minute following another promising move down the right.

With Deepika off the pitch, Navneet stepped up and went for a variation, but Australia defended it successfully to ensure the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.

India returned after the break with greater urgency and pushed more players forward while looking to move the ball quickly. But the connection between their forwards lacked the clinical edge required.

Australia came close through Stephanie Kershaw in the 38th minute, but her effort from the left of the Indian goal hit the sideboard. Moments later, India moved quickly into the Australian half but again could not create a clear opening.

Australia appeared to have scored from a penalty corner in the 40th minute when the ball found its way into the Indian goal.

The umpire initially awarded the goal, but after a video referral, it was ruled out. It was the second time Australia had seen a goal disallowed for an infringement in the match.

India responded strongly, with Shilpi unleashing a powerful hit from the right but it flashed across the face of the goal.

In the 45th minute, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal collected the ball quickly and fed it to her right, from where Deepika delivered an inviting centre, but there was no Indian stick to make the decisive connection.

It left India with 15 minutes to find the goal they desperately needed.

Australia earned another penalty corner early in the final quarter after an Indian foot was spotted inside the circle.

The initial effort went wide, while Australia’s appeal that it had struck Salima’s foot was rejected after a video referral, with the ball shown to have come off the stick.

India continued to search for the breakthrough, but a moment of indecision between Lalremsiami and Navneet in the 48th minute saw another promising move from the right go begging.

In the 54th minute, a mis-clearance by Salima gave an Australian striker a shooting opportunity, but Bichu made an excellent save with her outstretched leg.

Australia earned another penalty corner soon after, but Salima again came to India’s rescue by clearing after the initial defensive block.

With more than five minutes remaining, India removed their goalkeeper in a final attempt to force a winner. Australia earned a penalty corner in the 59th minute, and India used their video referral to challenge the decision. The referral failed, with the penalty corner retained for a stick-tackle inside the 23-metre area.

But even with the Indian goal unguarded, Australia could not find the decisive touch as Salima produced another brilliant intervention to prevent the drag-flick from being executed.

The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw — a result that ended India’s semi-final hopes. Australia progressed on the goals-scored criterion, while India now turn their attention to the classification matches for 5th-6th position.

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