India vs South Africa Live Updates, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: Sakshi Rana, Lalremsiami add to India's goals; extend lead to 6-0
2026-08-18T19:49:01+05:30
INDIA 6-0 SOUTH AFRICA
INDIA [Sunelita Toppo 11'; Navneet Kaur 17'; Sushila Chanu 25'; Deepika 38', Lalremsiami 44', Sakshi Rana 45']
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2026-08-18T19:54:44+05:30
India is on the attack
They get a long corner for now, and are eying for the seventh goal.
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2026-08-18T19:52:53+05:30
South Africa attempts a couple of attacks
India did well to defend the attacks before the circle entry.
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2026-08-18T19:49:37+05:30
Quarter 4 begins
South Africa gets the final quarter under way.
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2026-08-18T19:48:28+05:30
End of the third quarter
India leads by 6-0, and have a solid lead, from where defeat looks impossible.
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2026-08-18T19:47:57+05:30
GOAL number 6 for India
Another outstanding goal for India. A miss by Ishika as the ball caught the pole and went back into play and Sakshi Rana did not make any mistake on taking the opportunity with both hands. Rana played another solid back hand to get India their sixth goal of the match.
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2026-08-18T19:45:27+05:30
Lalremsiami scores
A phenomenal goal by Lalremsiami. She takes a direct shot from the edge of the circle on her backhand and got the goalkeeper by surprise to get India their fifth goal of the match.
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2026-08-18T19:44:03+05:30
2 minutes left in the third quarter
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2026-08-18T19:41:51+05:30
No goal for South Africa once again
Not the perfect PC attempt. An error in the halting and a raised ball in the rebound to give away this opportunity.
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2026-08-18T19:40:35+05:30
South Africa gets their second PC of the match
Another outstanding run by South Africa and this time they get the PC out of this attack.
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2026-08-18T19:38:43+05:30
Deepika scores; India gets the fourth one
Phenomenal set of passes in the African circle and Deepika made no mistake in that final toma hawk to get India fourth goal.
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2026-08-18T19:37:43+05:30
Another fantastic save from the African goalkeeper
That was a phenomenal attempt by Navneet but a better save by the goalkeeper to restrict India from having another goal.
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2026-08-18T19:35:38+05:30
South Africa on the attack once again
Can they find the first goal?
India defended well at the end to get back the possession.
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2026-08-18T19:33:01+05:30
South Africa replies with the counter attack
An attack followed by another attack. This time it was South Africa, who made a stellar counter attack, but well defended by India. They didn't leave the forward alone and kept the pressure on which eventually forced her to play an off target shot.
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2026-08-18T19:31:09+05:30
A solid start for Team India
India begins the third quarter aggressively and are on the attack straight away. A phenomenal turn of passes and they almost had the fourth goal. But it was a great save made by the South African goalkeeper.
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India are currently third in Pool D after the first round of matches
6:20 pm: Hello and welcome to Khel Now’s live blog for the India vs South Africa match in FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. Please wait for the blog to load!
The Indian women’s hockey team will look to turn their spirited opening performance into a first victory at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 when they face South Africa in their second Pool D encounter at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on August 18.
India began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China, producing a performance full of resilience, determination and attacking intent.
Related: India vs China Highlights, FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026
India made an assured start against China, with Navneet and Deepika continuing their rich scoring form by finding the back of the net.
China rallied twice to draw level, but India’s defensive discipline and fighting spirit helped them secure a valuable point against one of the tournament’s leading sides.
The result will give India confidence heading into their meeting with South Africa, while also underlining the importance of converting their positive momentum into three points.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back after suffering a 4-0 defeat to England in their opening Pool D match. England currently lead the pool, while India and China are level on points in second place following their opening-day draw.
𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘! 🔥🇮🇳After a hard-fought draw against Olympic silver medallists China, the Indian Women’s Team is ready for their second Pool D challenge against South Africa at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026. 🏑💪Another opportunity… pic.twitter.com/fWzBALdBnu
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 18, 2026
With the top two teams from each of the four pools advancing from the tournament’s first stage and remaining in contention for the semi-finals, every point assumes greater significance.
India will, therefore, enter the contest knowing that a victory could provide a major boost to their qualification aspirations.
But Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne wants his players to not bother about the mathematics.
“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,” said Marijne.
“We created chances (against China). 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.”
“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 added.
For India, the challenge will be to maintain the intensity and composure that served them so well against China while being more clinical in the attacking third.
Navneet and Deepika’s early tournament form will be a significant source of confidence, while the team’s ability to withstand pressure will again be tested.
South Africa, on the other hand, will be determined to make a strong response after their opening defeat. India can expect a competitive contest from a side with everything to play for.
The Indian team will take confidence from the belief and hunger displayed against China. Now, eyeing their first win of this World Cup, India will look to build on that foundation, collect three crucial points and strengthen their position in a tightly contested Pool D.
Where and when will India vs South Africa match in FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 take place?
The Pool D match will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on August 18 (Tuesday). It is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm Indian Time.
How has India performed so far at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026?
India were held to a 2-2 draw by World No. 4 and reigning Olympic silver medallist China in their first game of the World Cup. Navneet Kaur (7′) and Deepika (24′) score for the Women in Orange.
How has South Africa performed so far at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026?
South Africa were thrashed 4-0 by England in their first match of the tournament.
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