Hockey
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:
Live Updates
- 16 Aug 2026 5:08 PM IST
20' India is trying to keep possession with small midfield passes
India 1-1 China
India lost its momentum and has now allowed China to come out of its shell and dominate the midfield.
The Indian team is trying to keep them away with small passes in midfield and by keeping possession.
- 16 Aug 2026 5:03 PM IST
End of First Quarter: India 1-1 China
China started the first quarter on a press, but they couldn't really find anything and lost possession, which India then utilised and caught the Chinese defence off-guard to score the opening goal.
India was looking good in the first quarter, but then a silly mistake in the final minute gave China a chance to come back in the match, and they converted a penaly stroke to level the score.
- 16 Aug 2026 5:01 PM IST
15' China equals the score with a Penalty Stroke
India 1-1 China
Shilpi Dabas made a poor foul in the penalty box, pushing a Chinese forward to the ground, resulting in a penalty stroke for China.
Ying Zhang did the rest of the work and easily converted the stroke to level the score just ahead of the first quarter buzzer.
- 16 Aug 2026 4:50 PM IST
8' Navneet scores the opening goal for India
India 1-0 China
India opened the goal-scoring chart with Rutuja taking a free hit outside the circle and passing it straight to Navneet, who deflected in the back of the net with a side shot.
- 16 Aug 2026 4:48 PM IST
5' India wins a first penalty corner; Navneet fails to convert
India 0-0 China
India won its first penalty corner of the match after catching a Chinese foot on the edge of the circle, but in the absence of Deepika, Navneet took the drag-flick for India.
Her chance was easily blocked by Chinese defence and the score remaims unchanged.
- 16 Aug 2026 4:46 PM IST
5' China starts the match on the front foot; keeping possession
India 0-0 China
China started to make a high press on the Indian defence from the right go but couldn't really enter the Indian circle, which has now slowed down the pace.
- 16 Aug 2026 4:15 PM IST
India aims for a winning start
India will take on China, which is a prominent fixture on the international circuit, being two of the best Asian nations in the sport.
The two teams have faced each other 10 times in the last 3 years, with the Chinese team having a big 7-3 advantage over the Indian team, having four consecutive wins in the last 4 meetings.
India last defeated China in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy Final, and will be hoping to end this losing streak in Netherlands.
- 16 Aug 2026 4:00 PM IST
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the 2026 FIH Women's World Cup 2026
Indian women's team will begin its campaign against the reigning Olympic medalist China, in their opening group fixture at 4:30 PM IST.
