Mumbai, Aug 31 (SocialNews.XYZ) Their best-ever finish in the FIH World Cup in 52 years has propelled the Indian women's hockey team to eighth place in the FIH World Rankings, moving the Tokyo Olympic Games semifinalists up one place in the list.

Though the Indian men's hockey team -- bronze medallist at the last two Olympics in Tokyo and Paris (2024) -- delivered another underwhelming performance, it managed to hold onto its pre-tournament eighth position in the Rankings.

The rankings were updated following the completion of the FIH World Cup, which saw Argentina women and Germany men win the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, resulting in significant movement caused by the ups and downs of the World Cup matches.

Indian women move up

In the women’s rankings, despite registering their first World Cup loss since 2010, the Netherlands' huge lead coming into the tournament means they continue to hold the top spot with 4083 points.

Argentina’s triumph sees them close the gap on the Netherlands’ lead, as they further tighten their grip on second place with 3757 points. Belgium continue to hold third place with 3494 points, following their historic return to the World Cup podium after 48 years!

Despite falling short of their medal expectations, China remain the highest-ranked women's team from Asia, finishing fourth with 3182 points. Behind them are three European sides, with Spain (3089) in fifth, Germany (3063) in sixth and England (3044) in seventh, with just 45 points separating them..

India’s fifth-place finish was their best at the World Cup in 52 years, and it sees them climb a spot to eighth place with 2938 points, leapfrogging Australia, who are ninth with 2812 points, the FIH said in a release on Monday.

Rounding out the top-10 are the United States (2612), who finished 10th at the World Cup, including some impressive performances, such as holding the eventual champions Argentina to a draw in their opening match.

Japan (2476), New Zealand (2446), Ireland (2426) and Scotland (2415) follow, ranked eleventh to fourteenth, separated by a total of 61 world ranking points! Chile come in fifteenth with 2104 points, followed by France (2094) and Korea (2066) — two teams that did not qualify for the World Cup. South Africa, in eighteenth place with 2050 points, are the final of the World Cup participants, followed by Italy (1995) and Uruguay (1976), rounding out the top-20.

Germany on top in men's rankings

In the men’s rankings, Germany sit at the top spot with 3720 points following their second successive World Cup triumph. The Netherlands secured the top spot following their victory in the final, having started the match day in second position. Germany’s triumph moved Belgium (3692) down into second place after their campaign ended in a seventh-place finish at the World Cup.

Australia (3583) find themselves in third place, with their victory over England in the 5th-place classification match lifting them three spots and highlighting how competitive the fight for the top world rankings remains. Argentina’s (3512) win over the Netherlands in the bronze medal match lifted them to fourth place in the world ranking table, ahead of the Dutch, who are now fifth with 3481 points..

Spain, who fell just short of winning their first-ever men’s Hockey World Cup title, are in sixth place with 3473 points, followed by England in seventh with 3431 points. From Germany in first to England in seventh, the teams are separated by just 289 points!

India (3072) remain the highest-ranked Asian team in the men’s rankings, and are in eighth place, where they started the competition, which also coincides with their classification at the World Cup. New Zealand, who finished ninth in the World Cup, follow India in the world rankings with 2965 points, placing them ninth in the world. France round out the top-10 with 2841 points.

Ireland stand at the cusp of the top-10, currently in eleventh place with 2645 points, while Pakistan (2561) is in twelfth. South Africa’s rousing performances at the World Cup mean they remain the highest-ranked African side in the world, in thirteenth place with 2531 points..

Scotland (2371) are the highest-ranked side in the world to have missed out on the World Cup, ranked fourteenth in the world, followed by Malaysia (2346) and Egypt (2308). Rounding out the top 20 are Japan (2300) in seventeenth, Wales (2299) in eighteenth, Canada (2200) in nineteenth and China (2131) in twentieth.

Source: IANS

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Wavre, Aug 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Germany once again delivered when it mattered most, defeating Spain 1-0 to successfully defend their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup title at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, on Sunday.

Michel Struthoff scored the deciding goal at the end of the third quarter, calmly going past Spain's goalkeeper Luis Calzado to turn Germany's sole real chance of the match into a victory and thus equal the record for four men's World Cup titles.

Spain, making their first appearance in a World Cup final, had the majority of the ball and created more scoring opportunities, but Germany's determined defence kept the Red Sticks from finding a way on goal.

Germany began well on the counter-attack by breaking from deeper positions and making use of the wings to put pressure on Spain. Thies Prinz, Christopher Ruhr and Paul-Philipp Kaufmann combined their speed and ball-handling abilities to win Germany a penalty corner within the first 90 seconds.

Although Calzado knocked away Benedikt Schwarzhaupt's drag-flick, Spain gradually settled down and defended their circle brilliantly, with Jordi Bonastre leading the defence.

In the first quarter Spain had difficulty in finding a rhythm when they had the ball, but in the second quarter they started to link their midfield players with the forwards down the middle.

Borja Lacalle was the one who came nearest when he threw the tomahawk from the edge of the circle, but the Germany goalkeeper, Jean-Paul Danneberg, was alert enough to punch the shot away.

Spain had its best performance in the third quarter and managed to win three short corner kicks, but Pepe Cunill and captain Marc Miralles were not able to score. Germany's defender Teo Hinrichs also made a vital first rush to stop the Spanish attack, during which he took a hard blow to his shin.

Even though Spain had control of the exchanges, Germany still posed a constant threat on the counter and it was a rare mistake in defence that proved to be the deciding factor.

Hannes Muller collected the ball that was loose at the top of the circle and played a reverse pass to Struthoff, who had moved quietly towards the byline. Struthoff then rounded Calzado and passed the ball into the net, thus giving Germany the lead just over a quarter of the way through the match.

In the last quarter Spain rushed to reach a draw. When there were less than four minutes left, Calzado was substituted in order that Spain might have one more player on the field, but Germany's defence remained strong and thus the championship was secured.

The loss prolonged Spain's wait for its first men's World Cup title and thus added another entry to the sequence of heartbreaks that followed their previous final defeats in 1971 and 1998.

For Andre Henning, the German team's success was especially important since there had been a major change in the squad; although only nine of the players who had won the title in 2023 were returning for the 2026 campaign, the Honamas once again performed at their best when it came to the most important moments.

On Sunday earlier in the day, Argentina won against the Netherlands 2-1 and thus secured the men's bronze medal.

The result was reached less than 24 hours after Argentina's women's team had also beaten the Dutch hosts in Amstelveen, Las Leonas winning against the Netherlands 3-1 in a dramatic shootout since the match had ended all at 1-1 and thus becoming women's World Cup champions.

Source: IANS

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Wavre, Aug 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) India signed off from the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 with an eighth-place finish after losing to hosts Belgium 3-4 in the shootout in the 7th-8th place classification match at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre on Friday. The regulation period ended 3-3 after India’s last-minute goal to force a shootout to decide the winner.  

Harmanpreet Singh finished the tournament with eight goals, joint top of the scoring charts with Argentina’s Domene, with one day of competition remaining.

India opened the scoring through Abhishek in the sixth minute, while Belgium responded with two goals in quick succession in the second quarter, as Roman Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere putting the hosts 2-1 ahead.

Harmanpreet restored parity immediately after half-time with a penalty-corner drag-flick. Belgium managed to regain the lead in the fourth quarter through Nicolas de Kerpel. But India earned a penalty corner with just 26 seconds remaining, and Harmanpreet made no mistake to force the match into a shootout.

The shootout ultimately belonged to Belgium. Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh were denied by Vincent Vanasch, while Abhishek converted India’s final attempt. Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover, and Alexander Hendrickx (penalty stroke) scored before Roman Duvekot converted the decisive attempt despite Indian goalkeeper Mohith HS contesting with a referral. The goal stood, handing Belgium a 4-3 shootout victory.

At the start of the match, Belgium went in with an aggressive full-press and entered the Indian circle inside the opening minute, but India dealt comfortably with the early threat.

India gradually found their footing and took the lead in the sixth minute. Manpreet Singh created the opening, finding Abhishek at a tight angle. The forward unleashed a powerful push that Vanasch could only pad away into his own goal. Belgium immediately responded by winning a penalty corner, but Suraj Karkera stood firm against Hendrickx’s flick.

The Belgian pressure intensified, with Jugraj Singh producing a timely intervention near the Indian post and Nelson Onana narrowly missing with a diving deflection. India were then reduced to 10 men when Harmanpreet received a yellow card after India were found to have an extra player on the pitch.

Belgium used the numerical advantage to pile on the pressure. A video referral resulted in a penalty corner after the ball rose off Jugraj’s stick, but Karkera produced another excellent save from Hendrickx. The Indian goalkeeper then denied the Belgian drag-flicker again from the retaken set-piece.

Harmanpreet returned from the suspension chair early in the second quarter, and India soon earned their first penalty corner after a successful video referral. Harmanpreet’s flick struck the rusher’s foot, and the subsequent retake was blocked by the Belgian defence.

Belgium then turned the match around. In the 22nd minute, Duvekot created space after receiving a cross in front of goal, wrong-footed Hardik Singh and Sanjay, and beat goalkeeper Mohith to make it 1-1. Barely a minute later, Belgium earned another penalty corner and Labouchere converted to give the hosts 2-1 lead.

Belgium continued to dominate proceedings, repeatedly threatening the Indian goal. Another penalty corner was defended, while Mohith was called upon to make a save with his kickers. India survived further pressure, but Belgium remained firmly in control at half-time, leading 2-1.

India responded immediately after the interval. Rajinder Singh helped create a penalty corner and Harmanpreet unleashed a drag-flick that beat Vanasch to make it 2-2. Belgium challenged the legitimacy of the goal, but the video review found no infringement and India’s equaliser stood.

The momentum swung back towards Belgium. Hendrickx appeared to restore their lead from a penalty corner, but India successfully referred the decision and the goal was ruled out for height.

The third quarter ended level, but Belgium regained the initiative early in the final period. Manpreet was struck in the face by a close-range Labouchere attempt and had to leave the field with a bloody injury. Soon afterwards, Belgium took advantage of an attacking situation to score. The ball rose, struck an Indian defender and fell to de Kerpel, whose hit bounced off the turf and into the net beyond Mohith’s reach.

Belgium appeared to have done enough to secure the win as India struggled to find a way through a packed defence. Vanasch then produced an important save from Abhishek’s reverse hit in the 57th minute.

With less than three minutes remaining, India removed Karkera and went with an additional outfield player. The gamble paid off at the very end. India won a penalty corner with 26 seconds remaining, and Harmanpreet stepped up to deliver once more, beating Vanasch and taking the contest to a shootout.

Belgium held their nerve in the shootout to finish seventh, while India settled for eighth. For Harmanpreet, the tournament ended with a personal milestone of eight goals, but for India, the result underlined the missed opportunities that ultimately kept them out of the fight for a place in the semi-finals earlier in the tournament.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian men's hockey team defender Amit Rohidas on Friday earned his 250th International Cap for India, while midfielder Rajinder Singh completed his 50th international cap, with both milestones achieved during India's 7th/8th place classification match against Belgium at the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2026.

The veteran defender from Odisha's Sundergarh district, who plays the crucial role of first rusher in India's penalty corner defence, made his international debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2013 in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Since then, Rohidas has become one of the most experienced campaigners in the current setup, having been part of India's bronze medal-winning squads at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and having served as vice-captain at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023.

Rajinder Singh, who hails from Sant Nagar in Haryana's Sirsa district and trains at the Namdhari Sports Academy, made his senior India debut in October 2024 against Germany.

A product of India's junior pathway, he was part of the squad that won gold at the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 and helped India finish fourth at the 2023 FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup, before being named among the World Cup debutants for the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup 2026.

"It feels incredible to reach 250 caps for my country. Every time I step on the field in the India jersey, I carry the pride of my team, my family and everyone back home who has supported me. I want to thank Hockey India, my coaches and my teammates for their constant belief, and I hope to keep contributing to the team for as long as I can," said Amit Rohidas.

Rajinder Singh said, "Reaching 50 caps this early in my career means a lot to me. It has been a fast couple of years, and I owe a lot of it to the support of my senior teammates and the coaching staff. I want to keep learning and keep improving so I can give more to this team."

Congratulating both players, Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey said, "I congratulate Amit Rohidas on completing 250 international caps and Rajinder Singh on completing 50 international caps for India. Amit has been the backbone of our defence for over a decade, and it is heartening to see a young player like Rajinder already making his mark on the international stage. Both milestones reflect the strength and depth we now have in this team."

Echoing the president's sentiments, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said, "It is a special day to see Amit and Rajinder achieve these personal milestones together during our match against Belgium at the World Cup. Hockey India recognises their dedication and contribution to Indian hockey, and we wish them continued success."

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Friday announced a cash award of Rs 50 lakh for the Indian Women's Hockey Team in recognition of their historic fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026.

Salima Tete's side sealed the milestone with a 3-1 win over World No. 5 Germany in the 5th/6th place classification match in Amstelveen on Thursday, marking India's best result at the tournament since they finished fourth at the inaugural edition in 1974. The team went through the campaign with just one defeat, holding higher-ranked sides China, England and Australia to draws and recording a 6-1 win over South Africa, before completing their run under chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne with the win over Germany.

Congratulating the team on the achievement, Hockey India president Padma Dr Dilip Tirkey said, "This is a historic result for Indian women's hockey. To finish fifth at a World Cup after 52 years is a testament to the hard work, resilience and fighting spirit this team has shown throughout the tournament. On behalf of Hockey India, I am pleased to announce a cash award of Rs 50 lakh for the team as a token of our appreciation, and I hope this inspires the players to keep raising the bar."

Reflecting the president's sentiments, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said, "Salima and her team have done the country proud with a campaign that saw them compete with, and hold their own against, some of the best sides in the world. This announcement is our way of recognising their commitment and hard work, and we hope it further motivates the team as they turn their focus towards the Asian Games."

Source: IANS

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Amsterdam, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Netherlands and Argentina will meet in the FIH Hockey World Cup final on Saturday after both secured hard-fought semifinal victories, setting up a rematch of their clash in the last World Cup final in 2022, where the Dutch prevailed.

Hosts the Netherlands scored a lone-goal win over co-hosts Belgium in the first semifinal, while Argentina secured a 1-0 win over Australia in the second semifinal clash on Thursday night.

Belgium were very much the underdogs running out for their semifinal showdown against three-time defending champions the Netherlands in Amsterdam. But they came out firing, taking the challenge to the Dutch in an evenly contested opening quarter.

It was on the counterattack that the home side eventually took the lead just before half-time, with Frédérique Matla producing a one-handed deflection after a slick build-up to put her team in front in the 28th minute. Belgium earned a penalty corner with nine seconds remaining in the half, but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity to equalise.

After another close-fought half and with time running out, Belgium thought they had scored the equaliser when a scorcher from 18-year-old Famke van Heel found the back of the net, but it was ruled out on review, much to the relief of the Dutch crowd. And the Netherlands held on to book a place in their eighth straight World Cup final.

In the second semifinal, a tightly contested first half produced few chances at either end, with just five circle entries each and one penalty corner apiece. The Argentinians looked more threatening in the third quarter but still couldn’t break the deadlock. Australia also produced a promising shot on goal, but goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino was up to the task.

The breakthrough finally came for the Las Leonas from a penalty corner variation, with Julieta Jankunas adding the finishing touch in the 47th minute. That had the vocal Argentinian contingent in the crowd in full voice – and there was more for them to celebrate when Cosentino kept out two Australian penalty corner attempts midway through the final period.

The Hockeyroos came within a few millimetres of finding the equaliser with just 17 seconds remaining, but the ball missed captain Grace Stewart's outstretched stick on its way into goal from outside the circle, sending Argentina through to their seventh World Cup final.

Earlier in the day, Spain secured seventh place after a shootout victory over China. The Spanish took the lead seconds before the first-quarter hooter when Marta Segu’s mis-hit had enough on it to find its way into goal.

China then levelled with just two seconds left in the second quarter, with Anhui Yu firing a powerful reverse strike from the edge of the circle to make it 1-1 at half-time. China dominated the third quarter but couldn’t convert that pressure, while Spanish goalkeeper Clara Pérez was outstanding in the final period as the Chinese pushed for a winner.

Neither side could break the deadlock, sending the match to a shootout, which Spain eventually won 1-0 after 11 unsuccessful attempts between the two teams.

Earlier, England claimed ninth place with a 3-1 win over the USA, with all four goals coming from penalty corners. Elizabeth Neal opened the scoring for England before Ryleigh Heck slotted in the equaliser in the second quarter. But Lily Owsley put England back in front just five minutes later from a clever penalty corner variation. And a dominant second half was rewarded in the 55th minute when Tessa Howard added England’s third.

Japan held off a late Scotland fightback to win 2-1 and finish in 11th place. Miyu Suzuki opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the 11th minute before Akari Nakagomi deflected home in the final quarter. After taking off their keeper, the Scots pulled one back through Ellie Mackenzie from a penalty corner with just over two minutes left, and Japan then survived another penalty corner with just 34 seconds on the clock to secure the victory.

In the playoff for 13th place, twin sisters Niamh and Michelle Carey combined to put Ireland ahead in the 14th minute. While South Africa created a few chances, mainly on the counterattack, they couldn’t find an equaliser, and Ireland held on for the win.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian women’s hockey team signed off from the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and the Netherlands 2026 on a high, defeating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the 5th-6th place classification match in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Thursday.

The result secured the Indian women's team a fifth-place finish, their best in the FIH World Cup since the inaugural women’s edition in 1974, when they finished fourth.

After a goalless opening 30 minutes, India produced a superb attacking display in the third quarter, scoring twice through Navneet Kaur and once through Ishika to seal a memorable victory.

The match began with both teams adopting a cautious approach, although Germany enjoyed more possession in the opening stages. India gradually found their rhythm, with Baljeet Kaur and Sakshi Rana combining well down the right flank in the fifth minute. Their move ended with a good ball towards captain Salima Tete, but the German defence denied the India captain the space to get a touch.

Both sides managed to enter the circle but struggled to produce clean shots. Germany came close in the 11th minute when Johanna Hachenberg attempted a reverse hit, only for an Indian defender to get a timely stick in the way. India responded through Lalremsiami, who received a hit from Shilpi Dabas in the 13th minute before attempting to find Navneet inside the German 23-metre area, but the pass ran beyond her teammate.

Germany earned their first penalty corner in the 15th minute after a video referral by India failed to overturn the decision. Bichu Devi initially kept out the threat, while another penalty corner followed after the ball lifted off an Indian stick during the ensuing melee. Germany opted for a variation, but a miscommunication saw the ball run out of play.

India created their best opportunity of the second quarter when Deepika found Navneet, who in turn set up Lalremsiami. However, her effort went wide. Germany earned another penalty corner soon after, but the injection did not arrive cleanly, and India cleared the danger.

Germany’s Ines Wanner also sent an effort wide before India responded with a flurry of attacks. Navneet and Salima Tete combined to test German goalkeeper Finja Starck, who made three successive saves to keep the scores level at half-time.

The breakthrough finally came in the 43rd minute. Neha won possession and quickly released Ishika, who had options on either side but chose to take on the German defence herself. Her determined run ended with a composed finish that gave India a 1-0 lead.

India doubled their advantage just a minute later. A penalty corner was earned after sustained pressure, and when the first direct attempt from Navneet struck a German runner, India were awarded another PC. This time, Navneet found the gap with a powerful strike to make it 2-0.

India continued their momentum into the final quarter and struck again in the 47th minute. Salima found Navneet along the baseline, and the forward brilliantly manoeuvred around two defenders before lifting the ball into the net for her second goal.

Germany tried to respond, with Lynn Krings narrowly missing with a deflection in the 50th minute. Krings eventually pulled one back in the 59th minute, but it proved only a consolation. Germany earned one final penalty corner with 12 seconds remaining, yet India’s defence held firm to complete a memorable 3-1 victory.

India finished the tournament with two wins, three draws and one defeat from six matches. Their only loss came against defending champions Netherlands, while they held higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws and defeated South Africa 6-1 for their most prolific win in an FIH World Cup.

Although they narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth, the fifth-place finish represents significant progress and provides the team with plenty of confidence ahead of the Asian Games in Japan next month.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday recalled Major Dhyan Chand’s role in India’s hockey tour of New Zealand a century ago, saying the historic visit laid the foundation for 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries and that India continues to work towards strengthening the relationship.

Addressing the youth virtually during the Khelo India Dialogue, PM Modi linked the legacy of the legendary hockey player with the enduring sporting relationship between India and New Zealand, while noting that he had remembered Dhyan Chand during his recent visit to the country.

“National Sports Day is also an occasion to remember Major Dhyan Chand. A hundred years ago, India’s hockey team toured New Zealand, and Dhyan Chand ji was part of that tour. That tour became the foundation for completing 100 years of sports relations between India and New Zealand. A few days ago, when I visited New Zealand, I remembered him there as well. Major Dhyan Chand ji laid the foundation for these ties, and today India continues to work towards strengthening and enriching those relations,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said the significance of sport extended well beyond medal counts, placing it in the broader context of India's development and the role of its young population.

“When I talk about sports, it is not restricted to winning medals. It is an endeavour to bring together India’s sporting power and its youth power in the making of a Viksit Bharat. I have always said, Those who play will flourish, and flourishing through sport does not simply mean winning on the field. It means the flourishing of one’s personality, the flourishing of one’s family, and bringing greater pride to the nation,” he added.

PM Modi further emphasised how sporting success can elevate the standing of an athlete’s family and the institutions and places associated with them, eventually giving entire regions greater visibility.

“When a sportsperson succeeds, that success is not theirs alone. Their success builds the identity and enhances the prestige of their family. It also raises the reputation of the school or college they studied at, and strengthens the identity of their district and state. The world begins to recognise a city or state by the name of that sportsperson. And when a region shines on the global map through many such successes, the world’s perception of that region also changes. Every district has the potential to shine on the world’s sports map,” the Prime Minister said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Para world hockey coach Rajeshwari has highlighted the support available to Indian athletes with disabilities through government backing, preparatory camps and Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), saying the programme is helping provide opportunities and international exposure to players as India looks to improve on its recent 11th-place finish in the world standings.

Rajeshwari said support for sport had extended to essential facilities for athletes, including food, accommodation and equipment, helping players prepare for international assignments.

“PM Narendra Modi sir is supporting sports immensely. They are also providing food, accommodation, and equipment,” Rajeshwari told IANS.

The Indian team recently competed on the international stage, finishing sixth on a pool-by-pool basis and 11th overall in the world standings. Rajeshwari credited the support system around the players and said preparatory camps were an important part of their development.

“We got 6th place in Pool-Wise and 11th place in World-Wise. We got these because of PM Narendra Modi's support for sports. Actually, there are individual students with disabilities. We are giving practice sessions in preparatory camps. SOB is also supporting us. This is a Para World Cup. There are individually disabled students. There are fair opportunities and equal opportunities for all,” she added.

The coach said the programme was focused on giving athletes with disabilities the opportunity to train and compete through structured camps and international tournaments.

Looking ahead, Rajeshwari said the team remained determined to return stronger after learning from its previous campaign, including a defeat to the Netherlands during the pool stage. “My expectation is that we are playing a challenge tournament in the Netherlands versus India. It was a match. But unfortunately, in the pool match, we lost one match to the Netherlands. That's why we lost the place there. Next time we go there, we will definitely get a place.”

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian para hockey chief coach Daljender Singh has hailed the support received by the team from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Mallika Nadda and Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), saying the encouragement and infrastructure provided to the players helped India compete at the FIH World Cup for the first time and finish 11th in the world rankings.

Daljender said SOB played an important role in preparing the players for the international stage by organising camps and making arrangements for their participation in the tournament.

“First of all, I would like to thank the Honourable Prime Minister Modi ji and Dr Mallika Nadda, who fully support us, and the entire SOB (Special Olympics Bharat) organisation, which made excellent arrangements for these children and set up camps, enabling us to play in the FIH World Cup,” Daljender told IANS.

The Indian team competed in a 16-team field, with eight sides each in Pool A and Pool B. For the players, the tournament represented their first experience of performing at a global event, and Daljender said he was pleased with how they responded to the challenge.

“The children gave a very good performance, as it was their first experience, and they did well there. We had 16 teams, with 8 in Pool B and 8 in Pool A. We are ranked 11th in the world rankings. I am very happy that the children enjoyed themselves there,” he added.

Beyond the results, Daljender said the international exposure had given the players an opportunity to enjoy representing India and to test themselves against teams from around the world.

The chief coach also spoke about the impact of encouragement from Prime Minister Modi, saying interactions with him provided additional motivation to both the coaching staff and the players.

“I get a lot of encouragement from him. Talking to the Prime Minister gives me a lot of encouragement, and I feel like playing with more enthusiasm. The children also try a lot to get a chance to talk to the Prime Minister, and he is very helpful,” he stated.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian women's hockey team will look to sign off from the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on a high when it takes on Germany in the fifth-sixth place classification match on Thursday, with a historic finish within sight.

In its ninth appearance at an FIH World Cup, India have produced a commendable show, losing just once in five matches. A win against Germany would give the team its best-ever finish at the World Cup since the historic fourth-place finish at the inaugural edition in 1974.

India have displayed tremendous resilience throughout the tournament, holding higher-ranked teams such as Paris Olympics silver medallists China, England and Australia to draws. They also recorded their most prolific World Cup victory with a commanding 6-1 win over South Africa.

Their only defeat came against defending champions the Netherlands, who were forced to work hard for their 2-0 victory. India finished third in the second stage, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-finals after a series of hard-fought draws.

Germany have also enjoyed a competitive campaign. They defeated Scotland and the USA in the opening pool stage before overcoming Spain in the second stage. However, a defeat against Belgium left them third in their pool and sent them into the fifth-sixth place classification match.

India head coach Sjoerd Marijne acknowledged the progress made by his team but said the players are still hungry for more. "We defeated South Africa with big numbers and did really well against the Netherlands. The girls also realise that they have taken good steps. But they are naturally disappointed, and I think that's a good thing. That means they feel we can do more," said Marijne.

For India, the challenge will be to convert their strong performances into results. Against some of the leading teams in the tournament, India have created opportunities in the attacking third but have struggled to find the finishing touch.

The forwards will therefore have a crucial role against Germany, either by converting chances or earning penalty corners, which could provide Deepika and Navneet Kaur with opportunities to score from set-pieces.

India's defence, meanwhile, has provided a strong foundation. Goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam have been outstanding, while captain Salima Tete has added another layer of protection with her impressive rushing blocks during penalty-corner defence.

"The girls have already made history by securing the best ranking in a World Cup (since 1974), but we want more. It's going to be a good match against Germany to show that we can do better than we did against Australia. We are looking forward to it," Marijne added.

A victory against Germany would cap a memorable World Cup campaign and provide Indian women's hockey with a new benchmark to build on after more than five decades.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India hockey captain and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh tore into the men's team and the administrators for the team's below-par performance in the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen and said Hockey India will now prop up the Asian Games to sweep the problems under the carpet.

India crashed out of another edition of the Hockey World Cup without a medal, failing to reach the semifinals after suffering two defeats in two matches in Pool E in Stage 2. On Monday, India went down 3-5 to Argentina in the FIH World Cup, suffering their second successive defeat after losing 1-3 to the Netherlands a couple of days back.

Sreejesh pointed out the fact that the team failed to put up much of a fight in Stage 2 of the FIH World Cup 2026, while the women's team performed better despite its coach Sjoerd Marijne leaving the camp to go home on holiday ahead of the mega event.

In a post reeking of sarcasm and seeking accountability, Sreejesh said: "Don’t worry… the World Cup doesn’t matter.

"The Asian Games are coming. Win a medal there, and then we can start dreaming about LA 2028. Apparently, that’s enough to cover everything that went wrong at the World Cup," Sreejesh wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Sreejesh questioned the lack of accountability on the part of the team management, while giving credit to the women's team players for their performance.

"Women’s chief coach on holiday just before the World Cup — and the girls still fought their hearts out and exceeded expectations. Credit to the players. But where is the accountability? Do we really expect a team to perform at its best when the chief coach is away during the final phase of preparation?"

The former India goalkeeper, who was recently deposed as the chief coach of the junior men's team, also pointed out various phrases trotted out by the stakeholders every time the results go against the team.

"Men’s team loses to a top team → “It’s a learning experience.” Beats an Asian team → “Great victory.” Plays good hockey → “Good performance.”

"But here’s the uncomfortable question: Are we building a team to PLAY good hockey, or a team capable of WINNING against the best in the world?

"Stop hiding behind “learning”, “good hockey” and future tournaments. The World Cup is not a rehearsal. It is the World Cup," wrote Sreejesh in his post

"So who is going to ask the difficult questions? Who is going to demand accountability? And most importantly…Does anyone actually care?" the former India captain asked.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 ended with a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their concluding Pool E match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.

Argentina raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening six minutes through Joaquin Toscani and Nicolas della Torre, before Sukhjeet Singh pulled one back for India in the 10th minute.

Tomas Domene restored Argentina’s two-goal cushion in the third quarter and added another from a penalty stroke before Lucas Toscani made it 5-1. Sukhjeet scored his second late in the fourth quarter, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke to give the scoreline a more respectable look.

Argentina moved to six points and will now await the result of the Netherlands-England clash to learn which two teams will progress to the semi-finals from Pool E. India finished last in the pool and will now play for the 7th-8th position.

Argentina could hardly have made a more emphatic start. With less than a minute on the clock, Joaquin Toscani found space at a tight angle after a ball was pushed across the face of goal from the right and slapped it into the net.

India were immediately under pressure, and Argentina continued to attack with pace, repeatedly catching the Indian defence and midfield short of time.

Argentina earned another penalty corner in the third minute after Jarmanpreet Singh was adjudged to have intentionally used his stick to send the ball out of the baseline. Mohith made an excellent save, but the reprieve was brief.

Another loose defensive challenge, this time by Yashdeep Siwach, handed Argentina another PC in the sixth minute, and Nicolas della Torre beat Mohith to his right to double the advantage.

India gradually tried to find a foothold. Abhishek helped construct an attack in the 10th minute, with the ball eventually reaching Sukhjeet, whose firm push found the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Argentina, however, remained dangerous and almost restored their two-goal advantage before the end of the quarter when Amit Rohidas failed to collect an aerial inside the Indian 23-metre area. The hooter came just in time for India.

The second quarter was goalless, but India struggled to turn possession into clear chances. Argentina frequently used aerial balls to bypass the Indian midfield and find their forwards deep inside the attacking quarter. India created openings through Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh, Sanjay and Hardik Singh, but unforced errors at crucial moments prevented them from capitalising.

The third quarter proved decisive. Mohith saved another Argentine penalty corner early in the period, while Argentina's appeal for a re-award was rejected following a video referral. But India were punished soon after when Sanjay was dispossessed while attempting to weave through several Argentine midfielders. Argentina immediately broke forward, and Tomas Domene finished the move to make it 3-1.

India then had a frustrating spell of penalty corners. Harmanpreet Singh's dragflicks repeatedly found the Argentine rusher or failed to produce the desired finish. A subsequent PC earned through a move involving Yashdeep, Hardik and Jarmanpreet also went unrewarded, while India's referral was unsuccessful.

Argentina extended their lead in the 45th minute. Mohith made two successive saves, but after another Argentine attempt, Yashdeep was struck by the ball in front of goal, resulting in a penalty stroke. Domene made no mistake, scoring his second of the match to put Argentina 4-1 ahead.

India pushed forward in the final quarter, but Argentina delivered another blow in the 53rd minute when Lucas Toscani was given time and space to unleash a tomahawk that beat Suraj Karkera. At 5-1, the contest appeared beyond India's reach.

Sukhjeet gave India renewed hope in the 58th minute, producing a deft first-touch deflection from Mandeep Singh's cross to score his second goal. A minute later, he was brought down inside the circle, and Hardik converted the resulting penalty stroke to make it 5-3.

India had one final opportunity when Harmanpreet earned a penalty corner just before the final hooter. But Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago stood firm, making the save that confirmed India's exit from semi-final contention.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men's team crashed out of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, losing 3-5 to former Olympic Games gold medallist Argentina in their Pool E match in Stage 2 of the premier competition at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Monday.

India's hopes of qualifying for the semifinals depended on beating Argentina by four goals but also getting favourable results elsewhere to keep their campaign alive after losing to hosts the Netherlands 3-1 in their earlier match.

But they lost by two goals instead in their second match, thus remaining without any points in the second stage of the competition.

The 2016 Olympic gold medallist Argentina, who defeated England 3-1 in their first match in the second stage, moved up to six points and now share the top spot with the Netherlands, who also have six points. Their clash with England later on Monday will decide the first two spots in the Pool and thus the two semifinalists.

India have lost both their matches and are yet to open their account in the second stage.

Against Argentina, India needed sharper movement in the final third, greater efficiency in front of goal and a more ruthless approach to chances. The challenge was immense, but with their World Cup campaign on the line, India had no alternative but to go for it with everything they have.

However, on Monday, they failed to capitalise on their chances against an Argentina side that played to its potential and did not allow the Indians many chances.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey Haryana emerged as the undisputed champions at the expense of Hockey Jharkhand in the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Maj. Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, near Pune, on Sunday.

In the final of the tournament organised by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India, Hockey Haryana were engaged in an exciting battle before they won 2-1.

Hockey Jharkhand, pushing hard, were the first to score when Mundri Saroj (19’) netted, much to the surprise of Hockey Haryana. Thereafter, Hockey Haryana turned the tables and gained the upper hand in the second quarter, which led to Bhavya (23’) finding the net off a penalty corner conversion. At half-time, both teams were locked 1-1.

After a scoreless third quarter, Hockey Haryana scored the winner when Khushi (42’) scored in the fourth quarter to claim the coveted title.

Earlier, Hockey Haryana were quite impressive in the league phase, combining attacking firepower with defensive solidity. Led by captain Shashi Khasa and coached by Azad Singh Malik, Haryana opened with a resounding 10-1 win over Hockey Bengal.

They followed it up with a convincing performance, defeating Hockey Association of Odisha 3-0 in their second pool match.

In the quarter-final, Haryana maintained their momentum with a 3-1 victory over Hockey Chandigarh, before producing an emphatic performance in the knockout stages of the semi-final. Haryana stormed past Chhattisgarh Hockey 8-0 to secure their place in the championship final.

The third-place playoff was won by Hockey Madhya Pradesh, who got the better of Chhattisgarh Hockey 3-1 on Sunday. Having played out a goalless first session, Kajal (35’, 37’) scored a brace. Both goals were scored off penalty strokes. Tanvi (42’) scored the third. Chhattisgarh Hockey pulled one back when Sheetal Yadav (54’) scored.

RESULTS – FINAL:

Hockey Haryana 2 (Bhavya 23’; Khushi 42’) bt Hockey Jharkhand 1 (Mundri Saroj 19’). HT: 1-1.

III-PLACE

Hockey Madhya Pradesh 3 (Kajal 35’, 37’; Tanvi 42’) bt Chhattisgarh Hockey 1 (Sheetal Yadav 54’). HT: 0-0.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Best Forward: Kajal (Hockey Madhya Pradesh)

Best Defender: Bhavya (Hockey Haryana)

Best Goalkeeper: Gargi Barla (Hockey Jharkhand)

Player of the Tournament: Sukhpreet Kaur (Hockey Haryana)

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian junior men’s hockey team on Sunday left Bengaluru, India, for Dalian, Liaoning, China, as part of its preparations for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Moqi, China.

The team will arrive in Dalian on Monday (August 24), where they will undergo a series of training sessions before playing practice matches against the China Junior Men’s team. The preparatory camp in Dalian will provide the squad with valuable match exposure and an opportunity to fine-tune its preparations ahead of the continental tournament.

The team will conduct its first training session on Monday, followed by two sessions on Tuesday and further sessions on August 26 and 27. The Indian side is scheduled to play its first practice match on August 28, followed by another match on 30 August and a third on August 31.

Following the completion of the Dalian leg, the team will depart for Moqi on September 1, 2026, where it will continue its final preparations for the Junior Asia Cup.

The Indian team has been placed in Pool A of the Junior Asia Cup alongside Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. India will play their opening match against Indonesia on September 5, followed by matches against Japan on September 6, Korea on September 8 and Chinese Taipei on September 9.

The Indian junior men’s team enters this preparatory phase following its recent five-match friendly series against Malaysia in Bengaluru.

“This final training camp in Dalian will allow us to build on the work we have done over the past two months, particularly following our matches against Malaysia. We will have some training sessions on site and play three matches against China, which will allow us to complete our preparations,” said Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team coach Frederic Soyez.

The Indian team will use the Dalian camp and practice matches as an important final phase of preparation before beginning its Junior Asia Cup campaign in Moqi.

India’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 group stage schedule:

September 5: India vs Indonesia — 09:00 Hrs

September 6: Japan vs India — 11:00 Hrs

September 8: Korea vs India — 09:00 Hrs

September 9: India vs Chinese Taipei — 09:00 Hrs

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 are hanging by a thread, with the Harmanpreet Singh-led side needing a big win against Argentina and favourable results in the other Pool E match to stay alive in the tournament.

India suffered a 1-3 defeat against defending champions and hosts the Netherlands in their opening match of the second stage, leaving them without a point and at the bottom of Pool E with a goal difference of -4.

The final round of Pool E matches on Monday will see India take on Argentina at the Wagener Stadium, while England face the Netherlands. The Netherlands currently lead the pool with six points, while England and Argentina have three points each.

India therefore need to beat Argentina convincingly and hope England lose to the Netherlands to have any chance of finishing among the top two and progressing to the semifinals.

A three-goal victory would take India to three points and improve their goal difference to -1, while Argentina's would fall to -3. In that scenario, England would also need to lose by at least two goals to the Netherlands, taking their goal difference to -2 and allowing India to move ahead of both Argentina and England.

India have another possible route if they can produce an even bigger victory. A four-goal win over Argentina would mean any defeat for England against the Netherlands would be enough to take India through. However, England cannot draw, as a point would take them to four points and put them beyond India's reach.

The permutations underline the difficult task facing India, but the team will need to concentrate on controlling what is within its hands, starting with finding greater consistency in attack.

Captain Harmanpreet has been among India's leading performers, scoring six goals and sharing the tournament's top-scorer spot with Argentina's Tomas Domene. However, India have struggled to find the target consistently from open play, increasing their dependence on penalty corners.

Among the forwards, Abhishek has scored twice and Dilpreet Singh once, making them the only Indian forwards to have scored in the team's four matches so far.

India head coach Craig Fulton acknowledged the situation but insisted his team still has a chance to remain in the semifinal race.

“We have a lifeline to stay in the fight to reach the semifinals. It is quite clear what we have to do. We need the goals, but at the same time we still need to manage our own game and maintain our structure,” Fulton said.

Against Argentina, India will need greater movement in the final third, improved finishing and a more clinical approach in front of goal. With their World Cup campaign at stake, the Indian side will have little choice but to attack with intent while maintaining the defensive structure required to keep their slim hopes alive.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The stage is set for a thrilling summit clash between Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Haryana in the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026, with both eyeing the coveted national title at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium near Pune on Sunday.

The championship, being held from August 12-23, has witnessed intense competition among leading junior women’s hockey teams from across India. After a hard-fought campaign, Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Haryana have emerged as the two finalists who will battle in the final.

Jharkhand have produced a composed and determined run throughout. Led by captain Rajni Kerketta and coached by Vikas Pant, Jharkhand began with a 6-0 victory over Hockey Chandigarh, followed by a 3-1 win over Hockey Punjab.

Their quarterfinal against Hockey Association of Odisha proved to be a test of character. After the teams finished 1-1 in regulation time, Jharkhand held its nerve to secure a 4-3 victory via shootout.

The semifinal against Hockey Madhya Pradesh was another close encounter. The match ended 1-1 before Jharkhand again displayed exceptional composure in the shootout to win 2-1 and book their place in the final.

Jharkhand's ability to remain composed under pressure, particularly in back-to-back shootouts, has been one of the defining features of their journey to the final.

Hockey Haryana have been equally impressive, combining attacking firepower with defensive solidity. Led by captain Shashi Khasa and coached by Azad Singh Malik, Haryana opened with a resounding 10-1 win over Hockey Bengal.

They followed it up with a convincing performance, defeating Hockey Association of Odisha 3-0 in their second pool match.

In the quarterfinal, Haryana maintained their momentum with a 3-1 victory over Hockey Chandigarh, before producing an emphatic performance in the knockout stages of the semifinal. Haryana stormed past Chhattisgarh Hockey 8-0 to secure their place in the championship final.

With 24 goals scored and just two conceded across their four matches, Haryana enter the final in formidable form and will be looking to carry their attacking momentum into the title clash.

The final promises a contest between teams who have taken contrasting routes to the summit. Haryana have powered through with emphatic victories, while Jharkhand have showcased remarkable resilience in tight knockout encounters.

With Rajni Kerketta leading Jharkhand and Shashi Khasa at the helm of Haryana, both sides will look to their leaders to inspire one final push for glory.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 1-3 defeat against co-hosts the Netherlands in their opening Pool E match of Stage 2 at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, leaving their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread.

The result moved the Netherlands to six points at the top of the pool, with three points added to the three they carried forward from the first stage, while India remain without a point. India’s next match is against Argentina, who are also yet to open their account.

England, who have three points, face Argentina later on Saturday. Should England win that encounter, India’s mathematical chances of reaching the semi-finals will come to an end.

The match remained goalless for more than two quarters before Duco Telgenkamp broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to put the Netherlands ahead. Tjep Hoedemakers then doubled the advantage in the 51st minute with a neat deflection.

India responded almost immediately, with Harmanpreet Singh finally converting a penalty corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, the Netherlands restored their two-goal cushion just four minutes later when Thijs van Dam finished a swift counter-attack to make it 3-1.

India began brightly, applying an aggressive full press and making a couple of early circle entries. The Netherlands, however, remained composed in defence, while both teams moved the ball at pace in an energetic opening.

India came closest to creating an opportunity in the 10th minute when Dilpreet Singh received the ball inside the Dutch circle, but held onto possession a touch too long and eventually lost it. A minute later, Floris Wortelboer produced the first shot of the match on goal, but it didn’t bring the desired result for the home team.

The Dutch earned the first penalty corner in the 13th minute, but Sumit produced a superb rush to block Jip Janssen’s flick, with Sanjay completing the clearance. The first quarter ended 0-0 after a closely fought, cat-and-mouse battle.

The Netherlands gradually gained greater control of possession in the second quarter and began to put India under sustained pressure. They earned another penalty corner in the 16th minute, with Manpreet Singh making two important blocks to deny Janssen. India defended several phases inside their circle effectively.

Dilpreet had India’s best opening of the first half in the 23rd minute. He was presented with a golden opportunity but hurried his effort, allowing the Dutch goalkeeper to pad the ball away. Rajinder Singh reacted quickest to the rebound but was unable to retain possession.

The Netherlands went close again in the 28th minute, finding space to the right of the Indian goal, but the angle was too tight, and the Indian defence cleared the danger. At half-time, the score remained 0-0, with India still waiting for their first penalty corner.

India finally earned one in the 35th minute after a successful video referral overturned a long-corner decision. Captain Harmanpreet Singh came on to take the flick, but the Dutch rushers blocked it. India referred again, believing the ball had struck a foot, and retained the penalty corner. Harmanpreet's next attempt, however, went wide.

The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute. A defensive miscommunication left space for the Netherlands, and Telgenkamp pounced to put the hosts ahead and send the packed Wagener Stadium into celebration.

India immediately responded by earning another penalty corner, but Harmanpreet was once again denied by the Dutch rushers. The third quarter ended with the Netherlands leading 1-0.

India continued to press in the final quarter. A well-worked move initiated by Sanjay in the 47th minute earned another penalty corner, with Amit Rohidas taking the direct hit. The attempt was saved near the post, while a subsequent referral resulted in another PC. Harmanpreet’s flick appeared destined for the target, but goalkeeper Derk Meijer produced an excellent save to palm the ball over.

The Netherlands then struck again in the 51st minute. Koen Bijen delivered a pinpoint centre from the right, and Hoedemakers got a crucial touch in front of goal to beat Mohith HS and make it 2-0.

India refused to give up and earned another penalty corner soon after. Harmanpreet was initially blocked, but the ball struck a foot, and India were awarded another PC. This time, the Indian captain made no mistake, beating Meijer to his right to bring India back into the contest at 2-1.

But the Netherlands punished another Indian error four minutes later. Manpreet was dispossessed in midfield, and the Dutch immediately launched a counter. Van Dam finished the move with a composed volley past Mohith to restore the two-goal advantage.

India pushed forward in search of another response, but the Netherlands held their shape and managed the closing stages effectively. A late misplaced pass from Shilanand Lakra even threatened to create another Dutch opening, although a foul just outside the Indian circle halted the attack.

The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 Netherlands victory, sending the co-hosts into the semi-finals and leaving India needing a win against Argentina while relying heavily on the outcome of the remaining Pool E fixtures to keep their campaign alive.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian women’s hockey team faces a must-win battle against Australia in their decisive fixture at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Sunday, with the second semifinal spot from Pool E still up for grabs.

Both teams are on one point, and a victory will put the winner in the strongest position to progress. However, the final permutations will also depend on the result in the match between the Netherlands and China earlier on Sunday.

Hosts and defending champions the Netherlands have already booked their place in the semifinals after beating India 2-0 on Friday. The Dutch, who carried three points forward from the first stage, added another three with their win, moving to six points. China, meanwhile, sit on two points after their draw against Australia, having also carried one point forward from the opening stage.

The equation will become clearer after the Netherlands take on China at 7:30 pm IST on Sunday, with India’s clash against Australia scheduled for 10:30 pm IST. For India, the immediate task is straightforward: produce a winning performance against the Hockeyroos to give themselves the best chance. But if China upset the hosts to avenge their defeat in the 2024 Paris Olympics final, they will move to five points, ending the hopes for both India and Australia. However, if that match ends in a draw or a defeat for China, India will then need an outright win over Australia to progress and create history.

“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.”

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. 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. With the Netherlands vs China result hopefully setting the stage, India’s World Cup hopes will ultimately come down to how they handle this high-stakes battle against Australia.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian women’s team’s hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a setback as defending champions Netherlands secured a 2-0 victory in their opening second-stage match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Friday.

The result leaves India on one point in Pool E, carried forward from their draw against China in the first stage of the tournament, while the Netherlands moved to six points after adding three to the three they had carried forward. China, who drew with Australia earlier in the day, are on two points, while Australia are level with India on one.

For the winners, Yibbi Jansen (2’) and Frederique Matla (38’) were the goal-scorers.

The Netherlands needed only 81 seconds to break the deadlock. Applying a full press from the outset, the Dutch quickly won a penalty corner, and Jansen made no mistake, firing past goalkeeper Bichu Devi to her left.

The hosts continued to threaten, with Bichu producing an excellent left-foot save from another penalty corner in the fifth minute before denying Freeke Moes moments later. India gradually found their footing and made their first circle entry in the ninth minute, while Salima Tete had India's first shot three minutes later, although her effort lobbed over the post.

The Netherlands nearly doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when the shot on another penalty corner struck the post, leaving India relieved to remain only one goal behind at the end of the opening quarter.

Savita took over in goal at the start of the second quarter and was immediately called upon to keep India in the contest.

India earned their first penalty corner in the 19th minute, but Deepika’s flick was blocked when it struck the rusher's foot; the subsequent retake was stopped by a Dutch stick.

Navneet Kaur came close in the 22nd minute when she got on the end of a pass inside the circle, but her effort flew just over the crossbar. At the other end, Savita made a series of important interventions, denying Felice Albers and then standing tall during a goalmouth scramble to ensure the Netherlands did not extend their lead before half-time.

The third quarter saw the Dutch intensify the pressure. A penalty corner in the 33rd minute was superbly blocked by a rushing Salima, while India almost fashioned an equaliser on the counter, but Sunelita's push from inside the circle lacked power to trouble the Dutch goalkeeper.

The Netherlands finally found their second goal in the 38th minute. After earning another penalty corner, Frederique Matla's effort found its way past the Indian defence and the player stationed on the post to make it 2-0.

India entered the final quarter needing an early goal, but the Netherlands continued to dictate the tempo. Freeke Moes struck the post in the 54th minute, while Savita remained alert to deny another Dutch attack two minutes later.

India pressed forward in the closing stages and Navneet came closest in the 59th minute, only for goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal to make a brave save, taking a blow to her helmet in the process. The Netherlands earned one final penalty corner in the dying seconds, but Ishika made the save on the post.

The defending champions saw out the final moments comfortably to seal a 2-0 win and confirm their place in the semi-finals, while India will now need a win over Australia in their last Pool E match and also want Netherlands to beat China in order to enter the semi-finals.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Aug 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Chhattisgarh made it to the semifinals of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

In the first quarterfinal. Hockey Jharkhand downed Hockey Association of Odisha via the shootout (1-1; 4-3). In the fourth quarterfinal, Hockey Madhya Pradesh got past Manipur Hockey 3-1 in the tournament being organised by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India.

Later, in the other quarterfinal matches, Hockey Haryana got the better of Hockey Chandigarh 3-1 while Chhattisgarh Hockey got the better of Uttar Pradesh Hockey 5-2.

In the first semifinal on Friday, Hockey Jharkhand will take on Hockey Madhya Pradesh, while in the second semifinal, Hockey Haryana will play Chhattisgarh Hockey.

In the first quarterfinal. Jharkhand got past Hockey Association of Odisha via the shootout. Both teams shared a goal each (1-1) at full-time; Lugan Anjulata (24') scored first for Hockey Association of Odisha, while Rajni Karketta (33') levelled the scores for Hockey Jharkhand.

In the shootout, Hockey Jharkhand converted via Salomi Nag, Anupria Soreng, Dungdung Switi, and Rajni Karketta, while Hockey Association of Odisha had Drupati Naik, Aamad Ashika, and Ajita Ekka score.

Those who missed their attempts were Jamuna Kumari (Hockey Jharkhand), while Atlaya Lakra and Bhoi Doli (Hockey Association of Odisha) missed theirs.

Later, in the fourth quarterfinal, Madhya Pradesh ended Manipur Hockey’s campaign 3-1. A brace by Kajal (25', 43’), the first by a penalty corner and the other a field goal, and Tanvi (37’) off a penalty corner settled the issue. Manipur Hockey reduced the scoreline through Chanu Romita Waribam (44’) off a penalty corner.

In the second quarterfinal, Hockey Haryana got past Hockey Chandigarh 3-1. A goal each by Durga (14’), Diksha (19’) and Sukhpreet Kaur (59’) helped Hockey Haryana’s scoreline, while Hockey Chandigarh pulled one back through Apram (39’).

In the third quarter, Chhattisgarh Hockey downed Uttar Pradesh Hockey 5-2 in an exciting encounter. Yashoda (9’, 37’), Rukhamani (19’), Anjali Ekka (24’) and Yadav Sheetal (44’) netted for the winners, while Uttar Pradesh Hockey scored both their goals through Sankar Payal (22’) and Annu (33’).

Results (Quarterfinals):

QF-1: 1-Pool-A: Hockey Jharkhand: 1 (4) (Rajni Kerketta 33'; Salomi Nag, Anupria Soreng, Dungdung Switi, Rajni Kerketta) bt 2-Pool-B: Hockey Association of Odisha: 1 (3) (Lugan Anjulata 24'; Drupati Naik, Aamad Ashika, Ajita Ekka). HT: 0-1

QF-4: 1-Pool-D: Hockey Madhya Pradesh: 3 (Kajal 25', 43’; Tanvi 37’) bt 2 Pool-C: Manipur Hockey: 1 (Chanu Romita Waribam 44’). HT: 1-0

QF-2: 1-Pool-B: Hockey Haryana: 3 (Durga 14’, Diksha 19’, Sukhpreet Kaur 59’) bt 2-Pool-A: Hockey Chandigarh: 1 (Apram 39’). HT: 2-0

QF-3: 1-Pool-C: Chhattisgarh Hockey: 5 (Yashoda 9’, Rukhamani 19’, Anjali Ekka 24’, Yashoda, Yadav Sheetal 44’) bt 2-Pool-D: Uttar Pradesh Hockey: 2 (Sankar Payal 22’, Annu 33’). HT: 3-1

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian women’s hockey team held its nerves under sustained pressure to secure a goalless draw against England in their concluding Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Thursday. The result saw them finish second in the pool and advance to the next round with five points to keep their semifinal chances alive.

The equation was straightforward before the contest: India, with four points, needed at least a draw to stay in the top two, while England, on three points, had to win. China topped the pool with seven points after beating South Africa 5-1 earlier in the day, while England and South Africa will now compete for classification places.

Progressing to the next round from Pool D, both India and China will take one point with them after their pool-stage draw and will be clubbed with the Netherlands and Australia. India will take on world No. 1 and hosts the Netherlands on Friday (Aug 21), followed by Australia.

The match produced no goals, but it was far from short of drama, particularly after the interval when England launched wave after wave of attacks. India ultimately had to withstand 28 English circle entries and defend 12 penalty corners, with goalkeepers Bichu Devi, Savita and an increasingly resolute defensive unit proving crucial in preserving the result.

India made the more assertive start despite both teams looking slightly nervous in possession. Sunelita Toppo produced an incisive run into the circle in the fourth minute to win India’s first penalty corner, but Navneet Kaur’s direct attempt struck an Indian striker in the way. Three minutes later, sustained Indian pressing earned another opportunity, with Navneet dragging her effort wide. India earned a third penalty corner in the eighth minute, but Deepika’s flick also missed the target.

England responded with their first penalty corner in the 10th minute, though India defended it comfortably. Sophie Hamilton then fired narrowly wide as the opening quarter ended 0-0, with India having created the better opportunities.

The second quarter became an end-to-end affair. Sushila Chanu produced a timely tackle to deny England, while India almost capitalised on a turnover in the 21st minute, only for Ishika to be crowded out by the goalkeeper. Salima Tete then saw her shot palmed away by the goalkeeper before England immediately countered, but to no avail.

India earned another penalty corner in the 26th minute after Lalremsiami was stick-checked, but Deepika’s dragflick was saved. England responded with two penalty corners of their own, with Bichu Devi producing an excellent save to deny Darcy Bourne. Another Bourne opportunity was blocked by an Indian stick before Tessa Howard was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute. At half-time, the teams remained locked at 0-0.

India began the third quarter with a numerical advantage because of Howard’s suspension and immediately won another penalty corner. Navneet’s effort was blocked, while a follow-up led to another PC, which was ruled out after the direct hit rose above the height of the board.

From there, England increasingly took control. Savita made a fine save from an English penalty corner in the 38th minute and then kept out another effort moments later. India were forced deeper into their defensive structure and were reduced to 10 players when Ishika Chaudhary received a green card in the 42nd minute.

England used the numerical advantage to earn successive penalty corners, but India repeatedly brought their sticks into the path of danger. Salima produced a vital block on another penalty corner just before the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter was largely played in India’s half. England earned another penalty corner in the 50th minute after India’s referral failed, while a subsequent English referral resulted in another PC. Yet India’s defence refused to crack. England then removed their goalkeeper with under five minutes remaining, knowing only victory would take them through.

A critical moment came in the final minute when Bichu Devi dived sharply to her left to make a superb save and preserve India’s clean sheet. Seconds later, the final hooter confirmed the 0-0 draw.

India had earned six penalty corners and made 13 circle entries, but it was their defensive resilience that ultimately defined the contest. By surviving England’s late onslaught and keeping their composure through 12 penalty corners, India secured the point they needed to finish second in Pool D and keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home Minister Amit Shah has congratulated the Indian men's hockey team on beating Pakistan in a group match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, on Wednesday.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored a brace each as India maintained their dominance over neighbours Pakistan with a 5-3 win in a hard-fought encounter in their final league match in the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 and secured a place in the next stage of the competition.

"Congratulations to Team India for defeating Pakistan in today’s match at the Hockey World Cup 2026.

"With spectacular command of the game and thrilling sporting skills, you have upheld India’s decade-long dominance. My best wishes for the matches to come. #INDvsPAK," Amit Shah wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Harmanpreet scored via penalty corners in the 5th and 21st minutes, while Abhishek sounded the board via field goals in the 11th and 24th minutes as the Indians established early dominance in what was their third match in Pool D.

Pakistan fought back and scored twice through Hannan Shahid (22nd-pc, 46th-pc) and once via Sufyan Khan (24th-pc) to reduce the margin. But every time they scored, the Indians went on to absorb some pressure in the last quarter to secure a comprehensive victory.

Hardik Singh (35th-PS) scored the fifth goal for India as the 1975-winner restored the margin by scoring right back after their opponents had reduced the gap.

The victory saw India finish second in the pool and keep their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. England topped Pool D with three consecutive wins, while Pakistan and Wales will now compete in the classification phase.

India made a blistering start and established control early, particularly through attacks down the left flank. Pakistan repeatedly threatened to make a comeback in the second half, but India maintained their composure when it mattered most.

India opened the scoring in the fifth minute after sustained pressure around the Pakistan circle. A ricochet off Abhishek's reverse effort was deemed dangerous, earning India a penalty corner. Harmanpreet's first drag-flick struck the rusher's foot, resulting in a retake. The Indian captain made no mistake with the second attempt, sending a powerful flick to goalkeeper Ali Raza's left to put India 1-0 ahead.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored a brace each as India maintained their dominance over neighbours Pakistan with a 5-3 win in a hard-fought encounter in their final league match in the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 and secured a place in the next stage of the competition at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Wednesday.

Harmanpreet scored via penalty corners in the 5th and 21st minutes while Abhishet sounded the board via field goals in the 11th and 24th minutes as the Indians established early dominance in what was their third match in Pool D.

Pakistan fought back and scored twice through Hannan Shahid (22nd-pc, 46th-pc) and once via Sufyan Khan (24th-pc) to reduce the margin. But every time they scored, the Indians went on to absorb some pressure in the last quarter to secure a comprehensive victory.

Hardik Singh (35th-PS) scored the fifth goal for India as the 1975-winner restored the margin by scoring right back after their opponents had reduced the gap.

The victory saw India finish second in the pool and keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. England topped Pool D with three consecutive wins, while Pakistan and Wales will now compete in the classification phase.

India have dominated archrivals Pakistan in the last decade and have beaten them in all matches at the senior and junior levels since 2016.

India made a blistering start and established control early, particularly through attacks down the left flank. Pakistan repeatedly threatened to make a comeback in the second half, but India maintained their composure when it mattered most.

India opened the scoring in the fifth minute after sustained pressure around the Pakistan circle. A ricochet off Abhishek's reverse effort was deemed dangerous, earning India a penalty corner. Harmanpreet's first drag-flick struck the rusher's foot, resulting in a retake. The Indian captain made no mistake with the second attempt, sending a powerful flick to goalkeeper Ali Raza's left to put India 1-0 ahead.

India continued to press aggressively. Shilanand Lakra earned another penalty corner in the sixth minute, but Harmanpreet's low effort was comfortably kept out by Ali Raza. Aditya also produced a promising solo run from the right, although his final pass could not find an Indian stick inside the circle.

India doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Harmanpreet's aerial found Abhishek, who entered the circle before attempting a clever no-look pass. The ball took a deflection off a cluster of Pakistan defenders and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. Another penalty corner followed two minutes later, but Pakistan's defence successfully blocked Harmanpreet's flick.

India carried their two-goal advantage into the second quarter and extended it in the 21st minute. Hardik's long scoop was collected by Shilanand, who was then impeded by a Pakistan defender, earning India a penalty corner. Harmanpreet opted for a variation, setting up Rajinder, whose effort was saved. The rebound fell back to Harmanpreet, who created space to his right before firing home to make it 3-0.

Pakistan responded almost immediately. Vivek Sagar Prasad was dispossessed in the midfield, allowing Pakistan to surge forward. Indian goalkeeper made a good save to deny Moin Shakeel, but Hannan Shahid reacted quickest to the loose ball from the resulting long corner and pulled one back in the 22nd minute.

India restored their three-goal cushion just two minutes later. Jugraj Singh's slap was trapped superbly by Abhishek at the top of the circle, and the forward continued his run from the left before finishing from a tight angle to make it 4-1.

Pakistan again responded quickly, earning a penalty corner in the same minute. Sufiyan Khan converted with a well-placed flick past the Indian custodian to reduce the deficit to 4-2. Pakistan enjoyed a strong attacking spell thereafter, looking to exploit India's occasional lapses in midfield, but Sumit made an important defensive intervention to clear another penalty corner threat.

Four goals were scored in an action-packed second quarter, with both teams finding the net twice.

India restored their three-goal lead in the 35th minute after Aditya was pushed inside the circle, prompting the umpire to award a penalty stroke. Hardik stepped up confidently and converted to make it 5-2.

Pakistan continued to search for openings, but India's defence largely kept their attacking moves at bay. At the other end, India came close through Sukhjeet, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lost control as the ball trickled beyond the baseline.

Pakistan pulled another goal back in the 46th minute when an error in India's midfield allowed Hannan Shahid to pounce and score his second of the evening, making it 5-3.

The final quarter saw Pakistan throw numbers forward in search of another lifeline, but India remained in control. Pakistan earned a penalty corner in the 58th minute and attempted a variation, but the move broke down when their attacker failed to anticipate the pass.

India saw out the closing moments with composure to secure a 5-3 victory. The result ensured India finished second in Pool D and remained firmly in contention for a place in the semi-finals, while England advanced as pool winners and Pakistan and Wales moved into the classification phase.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian women’s team will look to seal the top spot in Pool D when it takes on England in their concluding fixture in the first phase of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, on Thursday, with the battle to stay in the race to the semi-finals finely poised.

With only the top two teams from each of the four pools staying in that race, every moment of the final round of matches carries added significance.

India currently occupy the top spot in Pool D with four points from two matches, level on points with China but ahead on goal difference. The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in their opening encounter, before the Salima Tete-led side produced an emphatic 6-1 victory over South Africa.

China, meanwhile, bounced back from the draw against India to defeat England 4-2 and sit second with a goal difference of +2, compared to India’s +5.

England are third with three points, earned through a convincing 4-0 win over South Africa, and remain in contention. With India facing England and China taking on South Africa in the final round, the results of both matches will determine the top two positions in the pool.

While England represent a tougher challenge than South Africa, India will enter the contest with growing confidence. Their campaign began on a promising note against Paris Olympics silver medallists China, where they showed composure and resilience to earn a hard-fought draw. They then built on that performance with a dominant display against South Africa, finding the net six times.

"It will be an exciting match,” said India’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. “Last time we lost against them (in FIH World Cup qualifiers), and it’s now to see the progress we have made and if we have come closer to them.”

One of the biggest positives from the victory over South Africa was the spread of goal-scoring responsibility, with six different Indian players getting on the scoresheet. It underlined the attacking depth available to chief coach Marijne and offered further encouragement as India prepare for a high-pressure encounter against England.

The emergence of India's younger players has also been a feature of their campaign. Teenagers Sakshi Rana and Sunelita Toppo were among the scorers against South Africa, signalling that the team's next generation is beginning to find its feet on the biggest stage.

Their progress has been complemented by the experience and current form of senior campaigners such as Neha, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, and Sushila Chanu.

The blend of youth and experience is particularly valuable for a side featuring 11 World Cup debutants. Led by captain Salima, India have shown that they are capable of adapting to the demands of the tournament while maintaining their attacking intent.

England, however, will bring a very different challenge. They know exactly what is at stake and need a victory to guarantee a top-two finish, making them unlikely to give India any room to settle. Their 4-0 win over South Africa demonstrated their ability to put pressure on opponents, while their 2-4 defeat to China will only add to their determination to respond.

India therefore face a test of both skill and temperament. With the pool standings so tightly packed, the team will need to reproduce the energy, defensive discipline and attacking variety that have characterised their opening two games.

A strong result against England could not only secure India's passage into the next stage but also underline the progress of a side that has made an encouraging start to its World Cup campaign.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Few contests in world hockey carry the weight, history and emotion of an India-Pakistan encounter; and when the two arch-rivals meet at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, the stakes could hardly be higher.

The pressure-cooker game at the Wagener Hockey Stadium will decide who stays in the race to the semifinals as India and Pakistan renew one of hockey’s most storied rivalries in a Pool D clash, knowing that t here is little room for error.

The equation is clear for both sides. India currently occupy second place in Pool D with three points, having opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales before suffering a 2-4 defeat to England. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one point from their two matches after drawing against Wales and going down 1-4 to England.

According to the format, the top two teams from each of the four pools in the first stage will remain in contention for the semi-finals, while the bottom two teams will move into the classification matches.

With England having won both their matches and assured themselves of a top-two finish in this pool, the battle for the other spot has come down to the last two matches: India vs Pakistan and England vs Wales. India need at least a draw to secure second place in the pool, while Pakistan and Wales must win to keep their campaign alive.

That makes this game much more than another chapter in an iconic rivalry — it is a decisive contest with the tournament ambitions of both teams at stake.

India enter the match with a dominant recent record against their neighbours. In the last 10 years, since the 2016 South Asian Games final, the two sides have met 19 times, with India winning 17 encounters and the remaining two ending in draws. Pakistan have therefore not beaten India in a decade, a statistic that underlines how heavily the balance of power has shifted in recent years.

For two nations that once stood at the summit of international hockey together, the contrasting fortunes have been stark. India has steadily strengthened their presence among the world’s leading teams, while Pakistan hockey has struggled to reproduce the consistency and success associated with its glorious past. The prolonged Indian dominance has consequently loaded the stakes in India’s favour. Yet, in a rivalry as deeply rooted as this one, history can rarely be taken for granted.

“We always have the rivalry; that’s never off the table. As a proud coach of the Indian team, you want to win every time you play against Pakistan. That’s a given,” said India’s chief coach, Craig Fulton.

“At the same time, they are doing a little bit more investment in their coaching and trying to improve the long-term plan for Pakistan. But we’ve just got to keep playing our style, making sure we are clinical and not giving them any gifts because they can create goals from nothing,” he added.

As long as we know what they are good at and we stop them from doing that, and we play the game and not the occasion, we’ve got a good chance.”

India will also look towards their captain and premier drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh to make the difference once again. The influential defender has already scored three goals in two matches, all coming from penalty corners, and has been central to India’s attacking threat. While the Indian forwards have shown promise with their movement and ability to create opportunities, they will be keen to sharpen their finishing in a match where every chance could prove decisive.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be driven by the urgency of their situation. With just one point from two matches, they know that only a victory can keep their semi-final hopes alive. That desperation could make them a dangerous opponent, particularly in a contest where emotions and intensity are certain to run high.

For India, the challenge will be to balance the emotion of the occasion with the discipline required to execute under pressure. For Pakistan, it is an opportunity to defy the recent narrative and revive their campaign against their biggest rivals.

With World Cup ambitions in the balance and the enduring pride of two countries with glorious hockey histories at the heart of it all, this India-Pakistan clash promises to be one of the most fiercely contested encounters of the tournament so far.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen (the Netherlands), Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian women’s hockey team strengthened their position at the top of Pool D at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026 with a commanding 6-1 victory over South Africa at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Tuesday.

The emphatic win keeps India unbeaten in the tournament, having earlier drawn 2-2 against 2024 Olympic silver medallists China, taking their tally to four points from two matches, with India currently leading the pool on goal difference.

India, who have played out a 2-2 draw against 2024 Olympic silver medallists China in their opening match, came into the contest determined to secure all three points. They made their attacking intent clear from the opening minutes, combining quick passing with incisive runs into the circle.

South Africa created the first major opening of the match when Kayla de Waal found herself through on goal in the fourth minute, but Bichu Devi Kharibam stood tall to make an important save and keep India level. India responded immediately, with Salima Tete driving forward on the right before finding Sunelita Toppo, whose effort was saved by South African goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder.

India continued to build pressure and earned their first penalty corner in the seventh minute after Baljeet Kaur's work down the left flank resulted in a foot inside the circle. Deepika stepped up to take the set piece, but van Tonder produced a full-length save to deny the Indian drag-flick.

The sustained pressure eventually paid off in the 11th minute. India worked the ball patiently around the South African circle before an attempt from Sakshi Rana found its way towards the far post, where Sunelita Toppo was alert to finish and give India the lead.

India were briefly reduced to 10 players after Ishika Chaudhary received a green card in the 15th minute, but India maintained their composure and continued to dictate the tempo. At the start of the second quarter, Savita took over in goal for India, and the team continued to push forward.

India doubled their advantage in the 17th minute through a well-executed penalty corner routine. Navneet Kaur changed the angle before unleashing a low, powerful slap hit that found the backboard to make it 2-0.

The Indian attack continued to threaten in waves, with Navneet, Neha and Deepika combining effectively around the circle. India earned another penalty corner in the 24th minute after Navneet found space inside the circle, and the resulting move led to another set piece.

India extended their lead in the 25th minute. Deepika's drag-flick took a deflection off the first rusher and fell kindly for Sushila Chanu, who managed to get the decisive touch and put India 3-0 ahead.

South Africa continued to search for a way back into the contest, but India went into the half-time interval with a commanding three-goal advantage after controlling large portions of the opening 30 minutes.

India resumed the second half with the same attacking intent. They moved the ball quickly through the midfield and repeatedly found openings in the South African defence. Salima and the Indian forwards continued to stretch the opposition defence, while the backline remained alert to South Africa's attempts to counter.

In the 38th minute, India added a fourth goal through a superb attacking move. Navneet exchanged passes with Baljeet on the left before the ball was cut back to Deepika. She controlled the ball on her backhand and unleashed a powerful tomahawk into the bottom far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

The third quarter turned into a dominant period for India as they continued to attack with pace and purpose. Two goals in the space of two minutes further strengthened India's grip on the match.

In the 44th minute, Lalremsiami received an aerial ball from Neha inside the circle, cut onto her reverse and fired towards the far post. The effort found its way past the goalkeeper to make it 5-0.

India then struck again in the 45th minute. Salima carried the ball forward on the right before finding Ishika, whose effort struck the post. Sakshi Rana reacted quickest to the rebound and sent a powerful reverse hit into the top corner to complete India's sixth goal of the evening.

India entered the final quarter with a 6-0 advantage and six different players on the scoresheet, underlining the depth and variety of their attacking threat.

South Africa continued to fight until the end and were rewarded in the 55th minute when Kayla de Waal converted a penalty corner. A drag-flick from Pearce took a deflection off the first Indian rusher before de Waal reacted quickest at the far post to reduce the deficit to 1-6.

India, however, remained composed in the closing stages and saw out the remainder of the contest to secure a comprehensive 6-1 victory.

The result gives India a valuable three points in Pool D and a significant boost in their bid to progress to the next stage of the World Cup. India will conclude their Pool D campaign against England on 20 August, with the team now looking to carry the momentum from this commanding performance into their final pool match.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India hockey player PR Sreejesh believes matches against Pakistan no longer carry the same level of difficulty they once did, with the Indian team’s improved fitness, strength, game awareness and decision-making giving it an edge ahead of their crucial FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 clash.

Sreejesh also supported India in playing its natural style of play and asked the team to remain compact, apply pressure from a high position, and avoid dropping too deep when facing their main rivals.

"Conceding goals in the last quarter or final minutes used to be a problem for us, but that is no longer the case. Now, we are the ones scoring late to win matches. Earlier, during the 35-minute halves, we used to make mistakes due to fitness or poor decision-making and let in goals. But since the four-quarter system came in, and even before that, we made big improvements in our fitness, strength, game awareness, and decision-making, and because of that, matches against Pakistan are not as tough as they used to be. In the past, India vs Pakistan games were tight, often ending 1-0 or 2-1. Pakistan still have potential, but their current team’s level is not the same as before," Sreejesh told JioStar.

The India-Pakistan match has greater importance since India was beaten by England in their last game, which has put their chances of reaching the semifinals on a tighter schedule. Sreejesh, on the other hand, thinks that India should concentrate on their own strengths and make sure their defensive setup does not become too passive.

"The Indian men's hockey team has been playing a new formation for the past year and a half. That formation mostly forces us into defense, but in the recent Pro League, we pushed up and pressed hard in many matches. One important thing is that we need to stay compact in defense when playing against European teams. Otherwise, we should play our natural game in the World Cup. In defense, we used zonal marking, so we need to improve our understanding in that area. We should not drop too deep. We need to step out, press high, and defend even beyond the centre line," he said.

Sreejesh also gave his opinion regarding Harmanpreet Singh's leadership, emphasising that a captain's main duties usually arise outside of the pitch.

"Harmanpreet Singh is a very good captain. On the pitch, a captain's influence is limited because you cannot control every move or player. The person with the ball has to make the decision. Most of a captain's work happens off the pitch, keeping the team united, supporting younger players, helping them settle in, creating a positive team environment, taking players' concerns to the coach, clearing doubts, and making sure everyone understands the coach's instructions. So, for a hockey captain, the work off the field is much more important than what you do on the field," Sreejesh said.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Teams from Chandigarh, Hockey Association of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Manipur advanced to the quarterfinals of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri, near Pune on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, in Pool ‘A’ Hockey Chandigarh downed Hockey Punjab 3-1, while in Pool ‘B’ Hockey Association of Odisha beat Hockey Bengal 6-0, in Pool ‘D’ Pool ‘C’ Manipur Hockey downed a luckless Hockey Maharashtra 3-2, while in Pool ‘D Hockey Madhya Pradesh downed Hockey Himachal 6-0 to make it to the quarterfinals in the tournament being organised by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India.

On Tuesday, the last day of pool matches, in Division A, Pool ‘A’: Hockey Chandigarh had an easy win over Hockey Punjab 3-1 and recorded their first win of the pool. The scorers for the winners were Diksha (33’), Ravina (34’) and Priya Chauhan (46’), while the losers had Jaismeen Kaur (40’) reduce the margin.

Hockey Chandigarh (3 pts; 2 matches) claimed second position in Pool A, behind pool winners Hockey Jharkhand (6 pts; 2 matches), while Hockey Punjab finished last (0 pts; 2 matches).

In Pool ‘B’, Hockey Association of Odisha subdued Hockey Bengal 6-0 for their first win of the pool. The scorers for Hockey Association of Odisha included a brace by Drupati Naik (10', 47’) and a goal each by Ajita Ekka (29'), Ekka Sonali (30'), Binati Minz (44’), Bholi Doli (49’). Hockey Association of Odisha finished second in Pool B behind winners Hockey Haryana (6 pts; 2 matches); Hockey Bengal (0 Pts; 2 matches) finished at the bottom.

Pool ‘D’ saw Hockey Madhya Pradesh get the better of Hockey Himachal 6-0. The scorers in Hockey Madhya Pradesh's win were Tanvi (12') and three goals by Kajal (19', 26’, 52 ’), Mitali Sharma (58’) and Kudrat (59’). Hockey Madhya Pradesh (6 pts; 2 matches) claimed top place in Pool ‘ D', while Hockey Himachal (0 pts; 2 matches) finished at the bottom.

In the last match of the day, Hockey Maharashtra lost 2-3 to Hockey Manipur in Pool ’C. Hockey Manipur netted through a three-goal feat by Sallu Pukhrambam (21', 43', 47'); Hockey Maharashtra pulled two goals back via Rubi Rathore (49’) and Tanishka Shinde (53’). Uttar Pradesh Hockey (4 pts; 2 matches) took the top spot in the pool on better goal average; Hockey Manipur (4 pts; 2 games) finished second, and Hockey Maharashtra (0 Pts; 2 games) finished last in the pool.

RESULTS:

Division A, Pool ‘A’: Hockey Punjab: 1 (Jaismeen Kaur 40’) lost to Hockey Chandigarh: 3 (Diksha 33’, Ravina 34’, Priya Chauhan 46’). HT: 0-0

Division A, Pool ‘B’: Hockey Association of Odisha: 6 (Drupati Naik 10', 47’, Ajita Ekka 29', Ekka Sonali 30', Binati Minz 44’, Bholi Doli 49’) bt Hockey Bengal: 0. HT: 3-0

Division A, Pool ‘D’: Hockey Madhya Pradesh: 6 (Tanvi 12', Kajal 19', 26', 52’, Mitali Sharma 58’, Kudrat 59’) bt Hockey Himachal: 0. HT: 3-0

Division A, Pool ‘C’: Hockey Maharashtra: 2 (Rubi Rathore 49’; Tanishka Shinde 53’) lost to Manipur Hockey: 3 (Sallu Pukhrambam 21', 43', 47') HT: 0-1

THE QUARTERFINALS:

1 Pool-A: Hockey Jharkhand v/s 2 Pool-B: Hockey Association of Odisha

1 Pool-D: Hockey Madhya Pradesh v/s 2 Pool-C: Manipur Hockey

1 Pool-B: Hockey Haryana v 2 Pool-A: Chandigarh

1 Pool-C: Uttar Pradesh Hockey v 2 Pool-D: Chhattisgarh Hockey

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Tuesday congratulated women's team forward Lalremsiami and men's team midfielder Rajkumar Pal on being named recipients of the prestigious Arjuna Award for the year 2025, as announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The Arjuna Award, India's second-highest sporting honour, recognises consistently outstanding performance over the preceding four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.

The two hockey stars feature among 17 sportspersons named for the Arjuna Award 2025 across disciplines, with the President of India set to confer the honours at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Hailing from Kolasib, Mizoram, Lalremsiami has been a mainstay of the Indian Women's Hockey Team since making her senior debut in 2017, playing a key role in the side's historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Lalremsiami has represented India at multiple World Cups, Asian Games and Asian Champions Trophy editions. She was part of the Indian team that won silver at the 2018 Asian Games, bronze at the 2022 Asian Games and gold at the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023 and 2024. She also played a crucial role in India’s gold-medal-winning Women's Asia Cup campaign in 2017 as well as in the 2022 and 2026 FIH Hockey Nations Cup.

Rajkumar, a midfielder from Karampur, Uttar Pradesh, made his international debut in 2020 and was part of the team that clinched a historic back-to-back bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Rajkumar has also contributed to India’s success at the Asian Champions Trophy, including the gold-medal-winning campaigns in 2024.

He produced a memorable performance during the 2024 tournament in China, scoring a hat-trick against Malaysia. He was also part of the team that won the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar.

Congratulating the duo, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, "It is a proud moment for Indian hockey to see Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal conferred with the Arjuna Award. Both have shown tremendous dedication and consistency in representing the country over the years, and this recognition is a fitting tribute to their hard work and commitment. On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate them and wish them continued success in the seasons ahead."

Echoing the sentiment, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said, "Lalremsiami and Rajkumar Pal have been dependable performers for the country, and their achievements reflect the depth of talent we now have across our men's and women's programmes. This honour will further motivate them, and inspire many young players across the country to take up the sport. I congratulate both of them on this well-deserved recognition."

With the latest honours, Lalremsiami and Rajkumar join an illustrious list of Indian hockey players to have received the Arjuna Award.

Introduced in 1961 to recognise outstanding players, the award has been conferred on several generations of Indian hockey greats, including Prithipal Singh, Anne Lumsden, Dhyan Chand-era stars and, in recent years, players such as Harmanpreet Singh, Rani, Savita, Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay and Salima Tete

Source: IANS

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Ranchi, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) As the senior Indian women’s team scripts its fortunes at the ongoing FIH World Cup Hockey Championships in the Netherlands and Belgium, three districts in Jharkhand – Simdega, Khunti and Gumla – are quietly pursuing a tradition that they have been practising over decades.

Few states have shaped Indian hockey quite like Jharkhand. The current Indian captain, Salima Tete, is a glaring example and she is just one among many.

From Olympic legends to members of today's Indian teams, the state's contribution has been remarkable. Yet, behind every international player lies an ecosystem built over decades—one that combines community passion, government support and, increasingly, the structured talent-development programmes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Today, with more than 5,000 boys and girls training through residential and non-residential programmes across the state, Jharkhand is reinforcing its reputation as one of India's most productive hockey nurseries.

Jharkhand's relationship with hockey stretches back to the early decades of the 20th century. For many tribal communities, the sport evolved into far more than recreation—it became part of everyday life. The state's hockey heritage traces its roots to Jaipal Singh Munda, the captain of India's historic gold medal-winning team at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. His achievement inspired generations of youngsters across the Chotanagpur Plateau.

Over the decades, that legacy was carried forward by icons including Michael Kindo, Sylvanus Dung Dung, Manohar Topno, Ajit Lakra, Bimal Lakra, Birender Lakra, Asunta Lakra, and Sumrai Tete, the former India captain, Commonwealth Games medallist and Dhyan Chand Award recipient.

Each generation left behind more than medals—it left behind belief.

“Every child in every home across three districts of Jharkhand – Khunti, Simdega and Gumla -- plays hockey. Early in the morning and in the evening, you will find village kids playing hockey in the fields all across Jharkhand. Hockey is an important part of our culture,” veteran coach Jagan Topno said during an interaction with SAI Media.

If there is one district that symbolises Jharkhand's hockey culture, it is Simdega. Often referred to as India's "hockey nursery", the district has consistently produced players who have gone on to represent the country despite limited infrastructure in earlier decades.

That picture is changing. The district now hosts a State Government Hockey Residential Centre catering to boys and girls in the Under-12 to Under-16 age groups, a Centre of Excellence, and multiple non-residential coaching centres spread across Rengari, Jaldega and Kurdeg.

Together, these programmes engage hundreds of young athletes every year.

The transformation reflects a broader shift—from talent emerging despite the system to talent flourishing because of it.

The story is no longer confined to Simdega. Neighbouring Khunti has emerged as another important hub with residential facilities for boys and girls, a dedicated 40-bed girls' hostel, and non-residential coaching centres spread across Govindpur, Torta, Murhu, Khunti and Maranhada.

Across the state, hockey development has expanded steadily. Residential and non-residential centres now operate in Gumla, Kamdara, Konbir, Ranchi, Latehar, Hulhundu and Hazaribagh, while East Singhbhum is home to the Tata Academy and Jamshedpur houses the National Hockey Academy.

Together, these centres have created one of India's widest grassroots hockey networks.

“While SAI has taken a lead in developing hockey in Jharkhand, the Tatas has also played a key role. The steelmakers have set up several rural training centres. They pay around Rs 10,000 to coaches for training young players. There also training centres that offer boarding facilities for young talent,” Topno, who serves as a senior coach at the SAI centre in Ranchi, said.

At the centre of this expanding ecosystem is the Sports Authority of India. SAI's campuses in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, along with the Morabadi Centre of Excellence, have become key destinations for promising players identified from district-level programmes.

The focus extends well beyond coaching.

Young athletes receive scientific training, sports science support, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, nutrition guidance, psychological preparation and opportunities to compete at higher levels. The approach reflects a growing emphasis on long-term athlete development rather than short-term success.

“SAI conducts selection trials for players aged 10-14 years at several locations across Jharkhand. Those selected are admitted to SAI centres at Ranchi and Hazaribagh and provided top quality training at SAI,” Topno said. For many children from remote tribal villages, these centres represent their first access to world-class sporting infrastructure.

The results are increasingly visible on the national stage.

Players such as Nikki Pradhan, Salima Tete, Sweety Dung Dung and Deepika Soreng have become familiar faces in the senior Indian women's team. The junior women's programme continues to produce exciting talent, including Parvati Topno, Binima Dhan, Sugna Sanga, Nilam Topno, Shruti Kumari—a product of SAI Hazaribagh—and Khilli Kumari. On the men's side, Ashis Tanipurty has emerged as one of the promising names in the junior Indian setup.

Behind every national jersey lies years of patient investment at the grassroots. This is going to receive a significant boost after the Union sports ministry announced the new-look Khelo India Scheme. The 2026–31 scheme provides for an 8X increase in the previous outlay at INR 36,441 Crore and aims at a 10X increase in the number of athletes supported.

Among the nine key elements of the Khelo India Scheme are talent identification, development of infrastructure and sports technology. Jharkhand’s hockey legacy will be augments by virtue of the greater role for states in overall development. As envisioned by the new scheme, the State Action Plan will follow a 60:40 Centre-State cost-sharing model, with funding linked to talent progression, athlete retention, grassroots-to-elite transition and reform-based milestones.

India's ambitions in world hockey depend not only on elite performance but also on the strength of its grassroots pipeline. Jharkhand has demonstrated what sustained investment in young talent can achieve.

The partnership between local communities, the Government of Jharkhand and the Sports Authority of India has created a development model that many other states are beginning to emulate.

Over the last 16 years, Jharkhand’s structured youth development system has translated into success at the Hockey India National Championships, particularly in the women’s categories. The state has secured an impressive 34 medals in women’s competitions alone, including 10 Gold, 11 Silver and 13 Bronze medals, underlining the depth and consistency of its grassroots programme.

Every morning, fresh batches of children report for training in Simdega, Khunti, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Gumla and several other centres across the state. Some may never play for India. But among those thousands of young dreamers is almost certainly the country's next international star.

And if history is any guide, there is every chance that star will emerge from the hockey fields of Jharkhand.

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Few contests in world hockey carry the weight, history and emotion of an India-Pakistan encounter; and when the two arch-rivals meet at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, the stakes could hardly be higher.

The pressure-cooker game at the Wagener Hockey Stadium will decide who stays in the race to the semi-finals as India and Pakistan renew one of hockey’s most storied rivalries in a Pool D clash, knowing that there is little room for error.

The equation is clear for both sides. India currently occupy second place in Pool D with three points, having opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales before suffering a 2-4 defeat to England. Pakistan, meanwhile, have one point from their two matches after drawing against Wales and going down 1-4 to England.

According to the format, the top two teams from each of the four pools in the first stage will remain in contention for the semi-finals, while the bottom two teams will move into the classification matches.

With England having won both their matches and assured themselves of a top-two finish in this pool, the battle for the other spot has come down to the last two matches: India vs Pakistan and England vs Wales. India need at least a draw to secure second place in the pool, while Pakistan and Wales must win to keep their campaign alive.

That makes this game much more than another chapter in an iconic rivalry — it is a decisive contest with the tournament ambitions of both teams at stake.

India will enter the match with a dominant recent record against their neighbours. In the last 10 years, since the 2016 South Asian Games final, the two sides have met 19 times, with India winning 17 encounters and the remaining two ending in draws. Pakistan have therefore not beaten India in a decade, a statistic that underlines how heavily the balance of power has shifted in recent years.

For two nations that once stood at the summit of international hockey together, the contrasting fortunes have been stark. India have steadily strengthened their presence among the world’s leading teams, while Pakistan hockey has struggled to reproduce the consistency and success associated with its glorious past. The prolonged Indian dominance has consequently loaded the stakes in India’s favour. Yet, in a rivalry as deeply rooted as this one, history can rarely be taken for granted.

“We always have the rivalry; that’s never off the table. As a proud coach of the Indian team, you want to win every time you play against Pakistan. That’s a given,” said India’s chief coach, Craig Fulton.

“At the same time, they are doing a little bit more investment in their coaching and trying to improve the long-term plan for Pakistan. But we’ve just got to keep playing our style, making sure we are clinical and not giving them any free gifts because they can create goals from nothing,” he added.

“As long as we know what they are good at and we stop them from doing that and we play the game and not the occasion, we’ve got a good chance.”

India will also look towards their captain and premier drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh to make the difference once again. The influential defender has already scored three goals in two matches, all coming from penalty corners, and has been central to India’s attacking threat. While the Indian forwards have shown promise with their movement and ability to create opportunities, they will be keen to sharpen their finishing in a match where every chance could prove decisive.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be driven by the urgency of their situation. With just one point from two matches, they know that only a victory can keep their semi-final hopes alive. That desperation could make them a dangerous opponent, particularly in a contest where emotions and intensity are certain to run high.

For India, the challenge will be to balance the emotion of the occasion with the discipline required to execute under pressure. For Pakistan, it is an opportunity to defy the recent narrative and revive their campaign against their biggest rivals.

With World Cup ambitions in the balance and the enduring pride of two countries with glorious hockey histories at the heart of it all, this India-Pakistan clash promises to be one of the most fiercely contested encounters of the tournament so far.

Source: IANS

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Pune, Aug 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jharkhand and Haryana registered their second wins to keep their qualification record intact, while Madhya Pradesh recorded their first win and hosts Maharashtra suffered a frustrating loss to Uttar Pradesh in the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune on Monday.

Hockey Jharkhand downed Hockey Punjab 3-1 in a Pool ‘A’ encounter, while Hockey Jharkhand got past the Hockey Association of Odisha 3-1 in Pool ‘B’ to top their respective pools. In Pool ‘D’, Hockey Madhya Pradesh came back to beat Chhattisgarh Hockey 3-1. In Pool ‘C’ Uttar Pradesh Hockey handed hosts Hockey Maharashtra a shocking 3-0 loss.

The tournament is being hosted by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India, with matches played out in two Divisions, ‘A’ and ‘B’ respectively.

In a Division A, Pool ‘A’ match, Hockey Jharkhand got past Hockey Punjab 3-1. Rajni Kerketta (23’), Pushpa Dang (36’), Salomi Nag (58’) scored for Hockey Jharkhand. Hockey Punjab pulled one back through Harpreet Kaur (7’). Hockey Jharkhand (6 pts; 2 matches) logged their second win, while Hockey Punjab (0 pts; 1 match) suffered their first loss.

Later in Pool ‘B’, Hockey Haryana got past Association of Odisha 3-0 for their second win and topped the pool. Hockey Haryana (6 pts; 2 matches) scored through Khushi (15’), Anjani (22’) and Durga (56’).

In Pool ‘D', Hockey Madhya Pradesh recovered to beat Chhattisgarh Hockey 3-1. Saniya Syed (10’), Tanvi (14’), Mitali Sharma (45’) scored for the winners after Chhattisgarh Hockey took the lead through a penalty stroke by Rukhamani (15’). Hockey Madhya Pradesh (3 pts; 1 match) led the pool, while Chhattisgarh Hockey (3 pts; 2 matches) trailed in second place in the pool.

In Pool ‘C’, Uttar Pradesh Hockey downed Hockey Maharashtra 3-0. Upadhyay Shweta (13’), Annu (26’) and Vandana Patel (56’) netted for the winners. Hockey Uttar Pradesh topped the group with 4 points from 2 matches, while Hockey Maharashtra (0 pts; 1 match) are at the bottom of the pool.

Earlier, in Division B, Pool ‘A’, Hockey Mizoram (12 pts; 4 matches) topped the pool, beating Hockey Andhra Pradesh 4-1 after Lalrawng Bawli Esther (9’), Anjana Xaxa (22’), Lalchhanhchuahi (41’), Manglawm­sang (47’) scored. Hockey Andhra Pradesh (6 pts; 4 matches) had Kuppa Tulasi (59’) reduce the margin. Hockey Andhra Pradesh finished second in Pool ‘A’.

In Pool ‘A’, Delhi Hockey downed Kerala Hockey 5-0 with Rana Nishu (4’), Lakra Namrata (21’, 39’), Dipika (48’, 49’) scoring. Delhi Hockey (6 pts; 4 matches) and Kerala Hockey (0 pts; 4 Matches) were relegated to Group ‘C’.4 pts.

In Pool ‘B’, Hockey Karnataka (12 pts; 4 matches) ended as group winners as they beat Goans Hockey 6-0. The winners scored through a four-goal effort by Pearlin Ponnamma A.G (4’, 48’, 54’, 59’), Manish Ponnamma Cd (6’, 46’), Lakshmi (19’, 29’), Meher Kaur Mehta (52’). Goans Hockey (0 points) remained at the bottom of the pool.

In another Pool ‘B’ encounter, Hockey Bihar (7 pts, 4 matches) got past Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu to trail in second place. A goal by Sidhi Kumari (2’), Khushi Kumari (5’), Kumari Rishu (18’) and a double by Singh Sapna (54’, 55’) accounted for Hockey Bihar. The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu had Priyadharshini K (4’) score. Hockey Tamil Nadu was relegated from Group B.

RESULTS:

Division A, Pool ‘A’: Hockey Jharkhand: 3 (Rajni Kerketta 23’, Pushpa Dang 36’, Salomi Nag 58’) bt Hockey Punjab: 1 (Harpreet Kaur 7’). HT: 1-1.

Division A, Pool ‘B’: Hockey Haryana: 3 (Khushi 15’, Anjani 22’, Durga 56’) beat Hockey Association of Odisha: 0. HT: 2-0

Division A, Pool ‘D’: Chhattisgarh Hockey: 1 (Rukhamani 15’ - p.s) lost to Hockey Madhya Pradesh: 3 (Saniya Syed 10’, Tanvi 14’, Mitali Sharma 45’). HT: 1-2

Division A, Pool ‘C’: Uttar Pradesh Hockey: 3 (Upadhyay Shweta 13’ - p.c; Annu 26’ - p.c; Vandana Patel 56’ – p.s) bt Hockey Maharashtra: 0. HT: 2-0

ON Sunday:

Division A, Pool ‘D’: Chhattisgarh Hockey: 6 (Yashoda 2’, 41’, 54’; Yadav Sheetal 6’; Dhiurve Neha 7’, 15’) bt Hockey Himachal: 4 (Sonam 28’; Kaur Navneet 28’; Toppo Shani Jharia 43’; Khushi Verma 59’). HT: 4-2.

Division B, Pool ‘A’: Hockey Mizoram: 4 (Lalrawng Bawli Esther 9’, Anjana Xaxa 22’, Lalchhanhchuahi 41’, Manglawm­sang 47’) bt Hockey Andhra Pradesh: 1 (Kuppa Tulasi 59’). HT: 0-2.

Division B, Pool ‘A’: Delhi Hockey: 5 (Rana Nishu 4’, Lakra Namrata 21’, 39’; Dipika 48’, 49’) bt Kerala Hockey: 0. HT: 2-0

Division B, Pool ‘B’: Hockey Karnataka: 9 (Pearlin Ponnamma A.G 4’, 48’, 54’, 59’; Manish Ponnamma Cd 6’, 46’; Lakshmi 19’, 29’; Meher Kaur Mehta 52’) bt Goans Hockey: 0. HT: 3-0.

Division B, Pool ‘B’: Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu: 1 (Priyadharshini K 4’) lost to Hockey Bihar: 5 (Sidhi Kumari 2’, Khushi Kumari 5’, Kumari Rishu 18’, Singh Sapna 54’, 55’). HT: 3-1

Source: IANS

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Amstelveen, Aug 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s team suffered a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the FIH World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday.

Nicholas Bandurak scored twice for England, while Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft added one each as England overturned a 1-2 deficit to secure victory, which confirmed a top-two finish in the pool for Zachary Wallace’s team.

For India, captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner, while Dilpreet Singh finished off a well-worked move in the second quarter.

The contest began at a frantic pace before both sides settled into their structures. India created the first clear opportunity in the seventh minute when Jarmanpreet Singh found himself with almost the entire goal in sight, five yards inside the circle, but his hurried effort went wide as goalkeeper Oliver Payne dived across. England earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute after a referral, but Manpreet Singh produced an excellent stick block to deny the flick.

England broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A brilliant aerial caught the Indian defence napping, leaving Mohith with a 2 vs 1 situation, and Bandurak finished clinically to make it 1-0. India responded almost immediately, with Dilpreet testing Payne, but the England goalkeeper palmed the effort away.

India drew level two minutes into the second quarter. After winning a penalty corner, Harmanpreet stepped up and unleashed a rocket of a flick into the top-left corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. England threatened again through Bandurak, who narrowly missed from close range, before India completed their comeback in the 25th minute to take the lead.

The goal came after Hardik Singh worked the ball along the baseline to Abhishek, who sent a bouncing pass towards the far post. Dilpreet was perfectly placed and needed only a simple touch to put India 2-1 ahead.

India entered half-time with the lead and had enjoyed the better attacking numbers, registering eight shots on goal compared to England’s three.

England, however, continued to build patiently after the interval, while India’s defensive structure initially remained difficult to penetrate.

The visitors found the equaliser in the 39th minute against the run of play. Following a long slap-push from the right, Rushmere got a half-touch with his reverse stick inside the circle, sending the ball past Mohith to make it 2-2.

England then turned the game around. In the 43rd minute, another aerial ball allowed England to enter India’s 23-metre area, with Rushmere again involved in the build-up. Croft took a quick hit and beat Mohith to score his maiden World Cup goal and give England a 3-2 advantage.

India pushed for a response in the final quarter. Jarmanpreet earned a penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Harmanpreet’s attempt to find a deflection from an Indian stick was kept out by an alert Thomas Sorsby. Abhishek then went close with a tomahawk in the 50th minute, but the ball travelled across the face of goal.

England sealed the result in the 55th minute. After India conceded a penalty corner following a goalmouth melee, Bandurak stepped up and produced a superb low-flying flick to the left of goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, completing his brace and making it 4-2.

Despite India’s efforts to fight back, England’s efficiency in the second half proved decisive as they converted their opportunities to claim all three points in Pool D.

The win put England on top of the pool with six points from two wins in two matches, which means they have qualified for the next phase. India, with a win and a loss, are in second position and will play Pakistan in their last pool game, which is now a must-win fixture for Harmanpreet & Co to finish in the top two and remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Pakistan and Wales have one point each from two matches apiece.

Source: IANS

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