India vs Australia Live Updates, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: Match goalless after first quarter
Live Updates
2026-08-23T23:07:22+05:30
India vs Australia: Second Quarter Live
India: 0
Australia: 0
1
2026-08-23T23:15:56+05:30
Lalremsiami is now hurt
A strong challenge by her, as she stays on the ground with a textbook press. The ball seems to have hit her, and she is now limping off the pitch. Hoping to see her on the field again soon.
0
2026-08-23T23:14:05+05:30
Another error by India, but it doesn't prove costly
Claire Colwill fails to bring out the final touch, and the ball eventually goes out for a long corner.
0
2026-08-23T23:10:55+05:30
A raised shot hits Ishika on the head
She seems fine, which is a very good sign for India. However, she has to leave the pitch because of concussion protocols.
0
2026-08-23T23:08:30+05:30
Baljeet with a circle penetration
However, she is tackled at the baseline. Sakshi then gives away a foul
0
2026-08-23T23:06:56+05:30
The errors are frustrating for India
The nerves seem to be playing a role with too many mis-passes and mis-traps. Coach Sjoerd Marijne is showing his displeasure on the sidelines
0
2026-08-23T23:04:07+05:30
Diving save by Bichu
A backhanded shot at goal and Bichu, who is between the bars for the second quarter, dives and pushes the ball past the sidelines.
0
2026-08-23T23:02:09+05:30
Poor injection
Australia has wasted the penalty corner
0
2026-08-23T23:02:50+05:30
Penalty Corner for Australia
The ball deflects of Shilpi's stick onto her body in the defensive circle
1
2026-08-23T23:01:06+05:30
The second quarter is underway
India would want to keep up the momentum and reduce the silly errors
1
2026-08-23T23:00:10+05:30
The first quarter is done
The deadlock is yet to be broken. The Australians were the better side for large parts and had a goal disallowed early on too. However, India has been strong in defence and eventually got a few circle penetrations of their own towards the end of the period.
1
2026-08-23T22:57:36+05:30
Superb defence by the Aussies
Navneet Kaur in possession of the ball inside the attacking circle, but she is crammed for room and can't get a shot away.
0
2026-08-23T22:56:18+05:30
Circle Penetration by India
Lalremsiami with a chance down the left. A defender raises the ball, but it is deemed to be not dangerous. Eventually, a free hit is given in favour of Australia
0
2026-08-23T22:54:15+05:30
Tatum Stewart has been handed a green card
A rough tackle and the referee is not letting it go this time. The Australians are now down to ten players
1
2026-08-23T22:52:53+05:30
Savita with a save
A backhanded shot at goal, but Savita has to make an easy save at her body
0
India must beat Australia to qualify for the semi-finals
10:15 pm: Hello and welcome to Khel Now’s live blog for the India vs Australia Pool E match in Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026.
India face Australia in a do-or-die match in Pool E at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. India, as things stand, are at the bottom of Pool E and need to defeat Australia to qualify for the semi-finals.
As for Australia, they are in a similar situation. But unlike India, a draw might also be enough for the Hockeyroos if China lose by three or more goals against the Dutch.
“We see it as a quarterfinal,” said India’s Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne. “It’s always very close (against Australia), and that’s how I think the match on Sunday will be.
“There will not be many secrets because we play many times against each other. It’s a must-win game for both sides and that’s something which makes it a big challenge for us.”
India face Australia in a must-win game in Women's Hockey World Cup! 🇮🇳 🇦🇺Sitting last in Pool E, India will need to defeat Australia in their last match and hope Netherlands🇳🇱 beat or hold China for them to qualify for the semis. pic.twitter.com/digIQm9XDN
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 23, 2026
The two sides had a good look at each other during the four-match series just before the FIH Nations Cup earlier this year, with the closely fought contests resulting in the series ending in a 2-2 draw. It highlights how evenly matched the teams are in a face-off.
Going into the big game against Australia, India will take confidence from their showing against the formidable Dutch side.
Despite conceding an early goal, the Indian defence remained composed and disciplined, frustrating the hosts for long periods and ensuring they did not concede a field goal.
Related: FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 Points Table Round 2 Updated
The defensive unit has been one of India’s biggest strengths throughout the tournament, with legendary goalkeeper Savita and Bichu Devi providing an assured presence between the posts.
Against Australia, that defensive solidity will again be crucial, but India will also need greater efficiency in the attacking third. The team has created opportunities through both open play and penalty corners.
It’s now down to converting those chances into goals, which could prove decisive in a game where margins are likely to be fine.
“Against big teams, if you get three opportunities, you have to convert one or two. That’s something we keep working on,” Marijne added.
“It’s the same with penalty corners. At the moment we are not scoring off a lot of penalty corners…and we know that. But we have the quality, and I have confidence in Navneet (Kaur) and Deepika. They both have shown that they can do it, and hopefully they can do it against Australia.”
After a tournament in which the Indian defence has repeatedly stood firm, the challenge now is to combine that resilience with the cutting edge needed inside the circle
Where and when will India vs Australia Pool E match take place at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026?
The match will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on August 23 (Sunday). It is scheduled to begin at 10:30 pm IST.
How can India still qualify for the semi-finals of the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026?
India must defeat Australia and hope China fail to defeat Netherlands in the other Pool E match. That will push India to four points and second place, ensuring their progression into the semi-final stage.
What is the head-to-head record between India and Australia in Women’s Hockey World Cups?
India and Australia have met only twice in the Women’s Hockey World Cup, and the latter won both those matches. The first was in the 1983 edition, where the Aussies won by a 3-2 margin, while the most recent meeting came in the 2006 edition, with Australia again winning the match, this time by a 6-3 margin.
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Kartik Warrier, a B.Tech Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Madras, is an ardent sports enthusiast. Through Khel Now, he gets to pursue his passion by closely following Indian athletes in sports like cricket, football, badminton, hockey, and table tennis.