FIH Women's World Cup: India draws with Olympic medalist China in opener-Highlights
Catch all the Highlights from the first match of the Indian women's team at the FIH Women's World Cup 2026.
Indian women's hockey team celebrate after reaching FIH Nations League final. (Photo credit: FIH)
Indian women's hockey team kickstarted their campaign at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Sunday.
The team had a brave and fighting start against the Paris Olympics Silver medalist, China, holding them to a 2-2 draw in their opening group fixture at Wagener Hockey Stadium.
There are four teams in India's group, and only the top two will remain in the medal hunt via the second phase. England and South Africa are the other two teams.
As it happened:
Indian women had a decent start to the tournament, holding the Chinese team to a draw, increasing their chances of moving further.
They will have two more games in the group stage against South Africa and England on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
India started its campaign with a fighting 2-2 draw against the Olympic medalist China in the first group match and earned their first points of the tournament.
The Indian team looked much better in the first half, maintaining their solid lines throughout, whether they were attacking or were in defensive play.
But then, China came back stronger in the third quarter and fully dominated the Indian defence, scoring an equaliser. India survived that spell and didn't concede any more goals.
In the final quarter, it was an end-to-end affair with both teams having a fair number of chances, but neither of the two was able to convert them.
India 2-2 China
After a strong start to the quarter, India lost its composure and allowed China to enter their circle and win the penalty corners.
However, they survived the threat as China's direct shot went just outside the far-side upright.
India 2-2 China
India finally had some chances going forward with a couple of circle penetrations, but they couldn't find that final touch to find the back of the net.
China dominated the third quarter, creating plenty of chances in front of the Indian goal, but they haven't really found clear-cut chances from open play thanks to some solid defensive lines.
However, they scored one goal in the quarter with Na Ning converting a penalty corner. India didn't have any chances in this quarter as most of the action took place in their own half.
India 2-2 China
The sheer pressure from China eventually resulted in their first penalty corner of the match, and Ma Ning took the opportunity with both hands, finding the bottom left corner with her drag-flick.
India played most of the second half in its own final third as China pushed high above the field.
India 2-1 China
China started the second half with a high press and had a couple of circle penetrations, but they failed to find the final touch on any of these moves, and India kept its lead.
India returned to lead with Deepika scoring her first goal of the tournament, converting a penalty corner with some help from a Chinese front rusher's deflection.
India looked the more aggressive side, catching China regularly on the counter with their high press in numbers.
India 2-1 China
India finally converted a penalty corner with Deepika taking the drag flick this time, although it wasn't a direct goal as Deepika's shot got a couple of deflections, making it tougher for the Chinese goalkeeper to judge.
Deepika was actually the one to win the penalty corner with a beautiful run from the right flank to win a foul in the Chinese circle.
India 1-1 China
India won its second penalty corner of the match, but once again Navneet had to take it, and she failed to clear past the front rusher on her drag-flick.
She won the ball on the rebound but then hit her own player, and the referee gave a free hit to China as she thought it was a dangerous ball.
Stay connected with The Bridge on #socials.