The India Women’s Hockey Team put on a dominant performance at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026, thrashing South Africa 6-1 at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. Sjoerd Marijne’s side combined attacking pace with clinical finishing to establish a three-goal advantage by half-time, then turned the contest into a rout in the third quarter. Six different Indian players found the net, which highlights the team’s attacking depth. The result puts India at the summit of Pool D. They just require a draw against England to progress to the next round.
India vs South Africa Women Hockey: Nabhvarna Take Control With Three First-Half Goals
India kicked off the proceedings on a positive note and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. A fluent move down the left created the opening, with Sakshi Rana’s effort finding its way towards Sunelita Toppo, who finished at the far post.
Navneet Kaur doubled the advantage six minutes into the second quarter, unleashing a powerful strike from a penalty corner. India continued to press and added a third in the 25th minute when Sushila Chanu converted after Deepika Sehrawat’s dragflick deflected into her path.
South Africa struggled to contain India’s movement, leaving Marijne demanding an even sharper second half despite the comfortable lead.
India Add Three More Before South Africa Pull One Back
India responded exactly as their coach wanted, producing a spectacular third quarter. Deepika made it 4-0 in the 38th minute with a fierce tomahawk into the far corner.
Lalremsiami then added another in the 44th minute before Sakshi Rana completed the scoring spree a minute later with a reverse-hit finish. India entered the final quarter 6-0 ahead, with six different scorers on the scoresheet.
South Africa finally found a response in the 55th minute when Kayla de Waal converted following a deflection from a penalty-corner delivery. It proved only a consolation as India secured a 6-1 victory, which marked their biggest-ever World Cup win, surpassing the previous 4-1 success against Spain in 1974.
With China having defeated England 4-2 earlier, India now need a draw against England in their final Pool D match to secure qualification for the second round.
