Amstelveen, Netherlands: India opened their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign on a winning note, defeating Wales 3-1 in their Pool D encounter at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Saturday.
Sanjay gave India the lead in the eighth minute before captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners in the 11th and 43rd minutes to put the match firmly in India’s control. Wales reduced the deficit through Sam Welsh in the 56th minute, but India held their nerve to secure all three points.
Wales began aggressively, testing India’s defence with early circle entries. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera remained alert as India gradually settled into the contest.
India earned their first penalty corner in the seventh minute after Dilpreet Singh created an opening. Sanjay’s initial drag-flick was blocked, but the ball struck a Welsh defender’s foot, handing India another opportunity. The young Indian forward made no mistake with the retake, beating goalkeeper Toby Reynolds-Cotterill to make it 1-0.
India continued to apply pressure and doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. A challenge on Sanjay resulted in another penalty corner, and Harmanpreet stepped up to fire a precise flick into the Welsh goal.
The Indian side maintained possession and territorial dominance through the second quarter but could not add to the score before half-time. Wales occasionally threatened on the counter, with goalkeeper Mohith HS making an important intervention in the 19th minute to deny Jack Pritchard.
India resumed the second half with the same attacking intent, using the flanks effectively to stretch the Welsh defence. Abhishek, Lakra and others created opportunities as India searched for a third goal.
That goal arrived in the 43rd minute. India earned another penalty corner and Harmanpreet produced another powerful grounded flick, sending the ball past the Welsh goalkeeper to extend the lead to 3-0.
Wales tried to fight back in the final quarter, but India continued to create chances. Mohith produced another crucial save in the 54th minute, keeping out a dangerous Welsh drag-flick from a penalty corner.
Wales eventually pulled one back two minutes later. Following a scramble near the Indian goal, Sam Welsh found the net. A video referral was initiated to check for a possible backstick offence and penalty stroke, but the review confirmed that the ball had crossed the line before the offence, allowing the goal to stand.
India remained composed in the closing stages and created further openings without conceding again, eventually completing a 3-1 victory.
Harmanpreet, who was named Player of the Match, said the team had made a good start but needed to improve further in the next game.
“We started very well. I am happy that one of the young players, Sanjay, scored our opening goal. Overall, it was a pretty good game. All of us know the value of this World Cup and we have a clear mindset to win, and the belief is there.”
The Indian captain added that the team would look to create more chances and score field goals in the next match.
India will return to action on August 17, when they face England in their second Pool D match at the same venue in Amstelveen.
Bhubaneswar: Healthcare services for railway beneficiaries are set to receive a boost with the commissioning…
Bhubaneswar: With teacher vacancies continuing to pose a challenge in secondary schools, the Odisha government…
Bhubaneswar: The flood situation in Odisha is showing signs of gradual improvement, even as the…
New Delhi: The Centre has decided to remove the existing 12-minute-per-hour cap on television advertisements,…
Bhubaneswar: For Jhunulata Naik of Cuttack, survival once meant cleaning toilets at a nursing home…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has stepped up efforts to accelerate industrial infrastructure projects across the…
