India suffered a 0-2 defeat against the Netherlands in their second-round Pool E match at the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Friday.
The Netherlands made a strong start and took the lead in the second minute through Yibbi Jansen, who fired a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner past goalkeeper Bichu Devi.
India struggled to maintain possession as the Dutch dominated the opening exchanges. Bichu produced several important saves to keep India within touching distance. India earned its first penalty corner in the second quarter, but Deepika’s attempt was blocked.
The Netherlands continued to control the game after the break. Frederique Matla doubled the lead in the eighth minute of the third quarter when her drag-flick took a deflection off Ishika Chaudhary’s foot and found the net.
India created a few opportunities on the counter but failed to convert them. Navneet Kaur came close in the final quarter, while Sunelita Toppo also had a chance, but both attempts were comfortably dealt with by Dutch goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal.
The Netherlands finished strongly and secured a 2-0 victory. India will now turn its attention to Australia in its next Pool E fixture on Sunday, where a positive result will be crucial to keeping its semifinal hopes alive.
