AMSTELVEEN, NETHERLANDS | August 20, 2026
India Seal Crucial Victory Over Pakistan
India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5–3 in their final Pool D match at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen on Wednesday, securing their place in the tournament’s second round. The result also ended Pakistan’s campaign.
The victory was particularly significant for India after their earlier defeat to England. India finished second in Pool D with six points, behind England, who topped the group with nine points.
Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek Lead the Attack
India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh and forward Abhishek were the key performers, scoring two goals each.
Harmanpreet converted penalty corners in the 5th and 21st minutes, while Abhishek scored field goals in the 11th and 24th minutes. Hardik Singh added India’s fifth goal through a penalty stroke in the 34th minute.
The early attacking burst gave India a strong advantage and put Pakistan under considerable pressure.
Pakistan Fight Back After Early Setback
Pakistan did not surrender after falling behind.
Hannan Shahid scored twice, in the 22nd and 46th minutes, while Sufyan Khan added another goal in the 24th minute through a penalty corner. The response brought Pakistan back into the contest and exposed some weaknesses in India’s defensive structure.
India, however, managed to withstand Pakistan’s late pressure and protected their two-goal advantage until the final whistle.
India Continue Dominance in Rivalry
The result extends India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan in senior men’s hockey.
India’s victory also carries additional significance because Pakistan were competing at the World Cup for the first time in eight years. Despite their spirited comeback, the defeat eliminated them from the 2026 tournament.
The match was played in front of a crowd of around 10,000 spectators at the Wagener Stadium.
India Move Into Second Round
With six points from the Pool D stage, India advance to the next phase of the competition.
The second-round group will include India, England and the qualifying teams from Pool A, with the exact composition depending on the remaining Pool A results.
The new tournament format means India will need another strong run in the next phase to reach the semifinals.
Defensive Concerns Remain
Despite the impressive scoreline, India’s performance also highlighted areas that need improvement.
Allowing Pakistan to score three goals after taking a commanding lead raised concerns about India’s defensive organisation. Current analysis has also pointed to defensive lapses and disciplinary issues that could become more costly against stronger opponents in the next round.
India will therefore enter the next phase with confidence from the Pakistan victory but also with clear areas to address.
Pakistan’s World Cup Campaign Ends
For Pakistan, the 5–3 defeat brought their World Cup campaign to an end.
The team managed only one point during the Pool D stage and could not secure the result required to advance.
India, meanwhile, now turn their attention to the second round and the much tougher challenge ahead.
India Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
The victory over Pakistan gives India a major boost as they continue their quest for another men’s Hockey World Cup title.
India’s only men’s Hockey World Cup triumph came in 1975, meaning the team is still searching for its first title in 51 years.
With the Pool D hurdle cleared, Harmanpreet Singh’s side now face a tougher second-round battle where consistency, defensive discipline and finishing will be crucial.
Source: All India Radio News, NDTV Sports, Al Jazeera, Times of India, India Today, Dawn.
Original Report: Supreme News Network (SSN)
