Top News

The Indian women's team, which has performed brilliantly so far in the Women's Hockey World Cup 2026, could not withstand the pressure of a big match and was out of the race for the semi-finals after a goalless draw with Australia in a do-or-die match. India had to win this match at all costs to reach the semi-finals, but after the draw, Team India was out of the tournament on the basis of goals count despite having the same number of points.

In the first round, India had one point due to the draw with China in Pool D, while the Australian team also came with one point. After this, the assessment was to be done on the basis of goal average, in which both had minus two goals. Australia scored three goals and conceded five. Whereas India scored two goals and lost four. After the average remained equal, Australia was one goal ahead in the goal count and reached the semi-finals.

Indian team did not look in rhythm

The Indian team, which had performed brilliantly before losing to the Netherlands by two goals in the first match of the second leg, looked out of form against Australia. Missed many easy chances and also failed to snatch possession of the ball from Australia, who was ranked just one place above them in the ranking. Indian coach Shard Marin had also removed goalkeeper Bichu Devi in ​​the last five minutes but still the Indian team could not open the account.

Now India will play the classification match, while the teams of Netherlands and Australia have reached the semi-finals from Pool-E. Indian players could not show the promptness and coordination in the first half that had been seen so far in the tournament. The passing was also not accurate and he repeatedly lost control of the ball in midfield.

Australia attacking in the first quarter

In the first quarter, Australia started aggressively and in the second minute it seemed that it had taken the lead with a shot from close range, but India took the referral and the TV umpire declared it a dangerous ball and did not give the goal. In the fourth minute, Kaur handed the ball to Ishika but she lost the ball inside the circle. Australia again came close to scoring in the tenth minute when Amy Lutton made a reverse hit from the right side, which was brilliantly saved by Indian goalkeeper Savita. Then in the 13th minute Neha lost the ball inside the circle.

The Australian players dominated in the first fifteen minutes. However, no team could score a goal. Australia got a penalty corner in the first minute of the second quarter but the injection was poor. The ball was still inside and went out after hitting the stick of the Indian defender. Two minutes later, Grace Young made a reverse hit from the circle, which Bichhu Devi almost dived to her right to keep out.

India also missed on the penalty corner

Indian midfielder Ishika suffered an injury in the 26th minute and Lalremsiami was injured a minute later while trying to snatch the ball from the Australian player. She was hit by the ball on her knee from close range and with the help of the physio and umpire, she left the field. India got a penalty corner just before halftime when Salima went forward but the ball hit the foot of the Australian defender. Deepika was not on the field at that time. India tried a variation and instead of a direct slap hit, Navneet gave a square pass to Nikki who could not take the shot and the ball hit her leg. The score was at a goalless tie till the first half.

Strong fight in the second half

Australia had a golden opportunity in the 37th minute, when Stephanie Kershaw took a strong shot from the front of the goal on a cross from the left but the ball hit the side net. Two minutes later, Australia got a penalty corner when Ellis Arnott's shot hit Sakshi. Kershaw's shot at the penalty corner deflected in and the Australian players started celebrating but the ball bounced in the air and hit Shilpi's body. The umpire declared it a dangerous ball.

India got a chance to score in the last minute of the third quarter when Navneet from the circle line passed the ball to Baljeet on the right, who gave a cross to Deepika but the ball went in the air after hitting her stick. Australia got their third penalty corner in the 46th minute when Neha lost the ball in midfield and the Australian's shot hit Sushila's leg. Claire Colville's drag flick was stopped by the Indian defence.

Australia were awarded their second consecutive penalty corner but Salima took a referral which showed the ball had hit her stick. India again got a golden opportunity in the 48th minute, when Salima made a brilliant run from the right side and handed the ball to Navneet but due to a misunderstanding between Navneet and Lalremsiami, the ball went out of her hands. Australia wasted the penalty corner they got in the 54th minute. Indian coach Sjoerd Marin removed the goalkeeper in the last five minutes, leaving India with an extra player. Australia could not score a goal due to Salima's brilliant rushing on the penalty corner in the 59th minute.