India suffered a 2-4 defeat against England in the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, leaving their final Pool D match against Pakistan as a must-win encounter for a top-two finish.
The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday. Despite taking a 2-1 lead into half-time, India could not maintain their advantage as England produced a strong second-half performance to secure all three points.
Nicholas Bandurak scored twice for England, while Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft also found the net as England overturned India’s early advantage. The victory moved England to the top of Pool D with six points from two matches and confirmed their place in the next phase of the tournament.
For India, captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner, while Dilpreet Singh scored from a well-constructed attacking move to put his side ahead in the second quarter.
The match began at a high tempo, with both teams looking to establish control. India created the first major opportunity in the seventh minute when Jarmanpreet Singh found space inside the circle. With much of the goal open, however, his hurried attempt went wide as England goalkeeper Oliver Payne reacted quickly.
England earned their first penalty corner in the 10th minute following a referral, but Manpreet Singh made an important stick block to keep out the attempt. England eventually broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when a precise aerial ball exposed a gap in the Indian defence. Bandurak capitalised on the opportunity and finished clinically to give England a 1-0 lead.
India responded positively and continued to press forward. Their efforts paid off two minutes into the second quarter when they earned a penalty corner. Harmanpreet stepped up and unleashed a powerful flick into the top-left corner, leaving Payne with no chance.
India then completed their comeback in the 25th minute. Hardik Singh carried the ball along the baseline before finding Abhishek, who delivered a bouncing pass towards the far post. Dilpreet was perfectly positioned and guided the ball into the net with a simple touch to put India 2-1 ahead.
India went into the half-time interval with the lead and had enjoyed the stronger attacking statistics, registering eight shots on goal compared with England’s three.
England, however, returned after the break with greater patience and gradually began to put pressure on India’s defensive structure. Their persistence paid off in the 39th minute when Rushmere got a half-touch with his reverse stick following a long slap-push from the right. The ball travelled past goalkeeper Mohith to level the contest at 2-2.
The equaliser changed the momentum of the match. England continued to exploit aerial passes and space around India’s 23-metre area. In the 43rd minute, Rushmere was again involved in the build-up before Henry Croft produced a quick hit that beat Mohith. The goal was Croft’s maiden World Cup strike and gave England a 3-2 advantage.
India pushed hard for an equaliser in the final quarter. Jarmanpreet earned another penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Harmanpreet’s attempt to create a deflection was kept out by an alert Thomas Sorsby. Abhishek came close three minutes later with a tomahawk effort, but the ball travelled across the face of goal without finding the target.
England eventually sealed the victory in the 55th minute. India conceded a penalty corner following a goalmouth melee, and Bandurak stepped forward to deliver a superb low flick past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. The strike completed his brace and extended England’s lead to 4-2.
India continued to search for a way back into the contest but could not find another breakthrough. England’s efficiency after half-time ultimately proved decisive, with the team converting its opportunities at crucial moments.
The result leaves England comfortably at the top of Pool D with six points from two victories. India remain second with three points from a win and a defeat, but their position is now under pressure.
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Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates will face Pakistan in their final Pool D match. The fixture has become a must-win encounter for India if they are to secure a top-two finish and remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals. Pakistan and Wales currently have one point each from two matches, making the final pool games crucial for the qualification race.
