Live Blog | India vs Netherlands | FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

India’s road to the semi-finals now looks very, very shaky. There are plenty of permutations and combinations still to come, but India’s chances look slim after the 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands. However, in sport, you never know. 

Join us tomorrow for the women’s Pool E clash between India and Australia. 

The final hooter goes. They say defence wins matches, and the Netherlands produced a masterclass in exactly that. 

The Dutch weathered India’s pressure, took their chances when they came and secure a 3-1 win to retain top spot in the pool. 

Just minutes after India’s goal, Manpreet loses possession in midfield and the Netherlands punish the mistake. 

The Dutch move quickly into attack and make India pay heavily, with Thijs van Dam finishing to restore their two-goal lead. 

The crowd erupts as the Netherlands make it 3-1. 

9:00 pm | 51’ - Harman Strikes! 

This time, Harmanpreet makes no mistake! A powerful drag flick finds the back of the net, and India finally get their first goal on the scoreboard. 

Harmanpreet reduces the deficit, and India are back in the game with seven minutes remaining in the final quarter. 

NED 2-1 IND 

After the Dutch’s second goal, India come straight back at them. Rajinder receives the ball inside the circle and does brilliantly to win a penalty corner. 

Harmanpreet is back on the field and takes the drag flick. A big moment for India with the game slipping away. 

NED 2-0 IND 

What a field goal from the Netherlands! 

A quick steal turns into a rapid counter, with three sharp passes moving the ball up the pitch in a matter of seconds. The Dutch work it into the circle and Hoedemaekers finishes clinically to double their lead. 

A brilliant passage of hockey from the Dutch. 

The retake is taken by Sanjay, and his shot is brilliantly on target, but the Dutch defence comes up with a huge save.

This is what big teams do under pressure - they find a way to stand tall when it matters most. 

NED 1-0 IND 

India win a penalty corner within the first two minutes of the final quarter. With Harmanpreet off the field, Amit Rohidas takes the drag flick, but it finds the foot of the first rusher. 

India take the referral, and the decision goes their way. Another chance for India to level the scores. 

NED 1-0 IND

A fiery third quarter comes to an end, with both teams giving it everything. Just like the first two quarters, there has been very little to separate the two sides, but a timely field goal from Telgenkamp is the difference. 

15 minutes remain. India need a goal to stay in the tournament. 

Drama on the turf,  just what India didn’t need. 

India are down to 10 players after Shilanand is shown a card for dangerous play inside the circle. India do get the penalty corner, but tensions flare between the players with a few words exchanged. 

Manpreet is quick to step in and calm things down before it escalates. 

NED 1-0 IND 

The Netherlands break the deadlock! 

Reyenga gets the ball inside the circle, and it takes a deflection before bouncing up. He gets a shot away, with Telgenkamp in the right place at the right time to get the final touch and beat the Indian goalkeeper. The Dutch take the lead. 

India get the retake! 

Harmanpreet’s drag flick finds the foot of the first rusher, prompting another referral from India. The decision goes their way, but the retake does not result in a goal. The scores remain level. 

NED 0-0 IND 

Penalty corner for India! Abhishek with a brilliant piece of play inside the circle, finding the defender’s foot. Referral goes India’s way. A big chance for India to break the deadlock.

NED 0-0 IND 
 

The Netherlands have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far. The next 30 minutes will either strengthen their dominance, or India could become the first team to defeat the Dutch at this World Cup. 

NED 0-0 IND

India’s message at half-time is clear: they’ve pressed well and created opportunities, but now need to make those chances count. If India can add the finishing touch, they’ll back themselves to win this game.

A goalless first half in Amstelveen. India have held their own against the Olympic champions, creating chances on the counter and looking increasingly comfortable as the half progressed. The Dutch have had their moments, but Mohith’s late save keeps the scores level at the break. 

Manpreet’s brilliant pass from the right finds Dilpreet inside the circle. He tries to beat the goalkeeper, but the Dutch goalie - Meijer, comes out quickly to block the effort. Rajinder is there for the rebound and gets a shot away from close range, but the Dutch defence does enough to keep it out. 

NED 0-0 IND 

India’s defence holds firm under pressure, despite the Dutch being handed three retakes. The ball stays away from danger inside the circle, and India survive the penalty-corner spell. 

NED 0-0 IND

The second quarter begins with a penalty corner for the Netherlands. A big early opportunity for the Dutch to break the deadlock. 

NED 0-0 IND

Scores remain level at the end of the first quarter. Both teams have looked dangerous on the counter, with plenty of pace whenever possession turns over. 

NED 0-0 IND

Brilliant running by Manpreet Singh to track back and thwart the Dutch threat. 

NED 0-0 IND 

Smart play inside the circle sees the Dutch find Sumit’s foot, and the umpire points to the spot. Netherlands have their first penalty corner of the match. 

NED 0-0 IND 

India look for a foot inside the circle, with Rajinder Singh using his dribbling skills to create an opening. The Dutch defence holds firm, though, as there is no foot or foul and the ball is eventually cleared away. 

India playing from left to right, make the early push. A promising circle entry from the right, but the Dutch defence gets a stick in the way and clears the danger. India win a long corner. 

Manpreet Singh goes down after being struck by the ball around the hip area, but is quickly back on his feet. 

NED 0-0 IND

Here goes the whistle to mark the beginning of the big Pool E clash between the reigning Olympic champions and Paris 2024 Bronze Medallists! 

NED 0-0 IND 

There has been very little to separate these two sides recently. India beat the Netherlands 3-2 in their most recent meeting in the FIH Pro League in June, while the Dutch had won the previous encounter 3-2.