New Delhi, August 23: India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH World Cup hit a major roadblock after the men’s hockey team went down 1-3 to reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in their second-round match here on Saturday.
Team India needed a victory to keep their hopes alive in the race to the semifinals. But against the World No 1 Netherlands side, India was outdone in the final 15 minutes as the Men in Blue conceded three crucial goals. Duco Telgenkamp (41st), Tjep Hoedemakers (51st) and Thijs van Dam (55th) were on target for the Netherlands. The only positive for Team India was the 52nd-minute strike from Harmanpreet Singh to make it 3-1.
How Does Netherlands Affect Team India’s Chances?
The defeat leaves India with no points from the second round and facing a near-impossible route to the last four. They must beat Argentina by at least five goals in their final pool match on Monday and hope the Netherlands defeat England in the other match.
The Netherlands have already qualified for the semifinals with six points, while Argentina and England have three points each.
India vs Netherlands FIH Hockey World Cup Match
India started strongly and kept the Dutch attack under control in the opening half. Their defence remained compact, while the midfield did well to prevent the Netherlands from holding possession for long periods.
The Netherlands earned their first penalty corner in the 13th minute, but Jip Janssen’s drag-flick was blocked by Manpreet Singh’s timely rush. They then won three consecutive penalty corners early in the second quarter, but failed to convert any of them.
India also created opportunities, with Dilpreet Singh entering the circle in the 24th minute before Dutch goalkeeper Derk Meijer denied his attempt.
Neither side could break the deadlock before halftime.
India earned their first penalty corner in the 35th minute following a referral, but Harmanpreet’s drag-flick struck the foot of the first rusher. His second attempt went wide.
The Netherlands finally took the lead in the 41st minute after Tijman Reyenga’s effort was deflected into the net off Telgenkamp’s stick, leaving goalkeeper Mohit with little chance.
India tried to respond but were unable to capitalise on their chances. Hoedemakers doubled the Dutch advantage in the 51st minute before Harmanpreet immediately pulled one back with a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner.
India’s hopes of completing a comeback, however, were short-lived. In the 55th minute, an error by experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh allowed the ball to fall to Van Dam, who calmly finished to restore the Netherlands’ two-goal cushion.
India have never defeated the Netherlands in World Cup history. Their most notable meeting came in the 1973 final, when the Dutch side prevailed in a penalty shootout.
With their semifinal hopes now hanging by a thread, India will need a huge win against Argentina and help from the Netherlands in their final pool matches to stay alive in the tournament.
Story first published: Sunday, August 23, 2026, 9:08 [IST]
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