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South Asian teams endured a difficult day at the men’s and women’s FIH Hockey World Cups on Monday. India suffered a 4-2 defeat against England, while Pakistan was held to a 3-3 draw by Wales.
The results further complicated the prospects of India and Pakistan, both former men’s World Cup champions. Pakistan must defeat India in its final pool match to remain in contention for the quarterfinals, while India needs only a draw to advance to the knockout stage.
South Asian teams, and Asian teams more broadly, have recorded mixed results in the tournament so far.
India opened its men’s campaign with a 3-1 victory over Wales, while Pakistan lost its first match to England. India then fell 4-2 to England in its second game. In the women’s competition, India began with a 2-2 draw against China.
Japan’s women lost their opening match to Australia before rebounding with a 3-0 victory over Chile. The Indian women will face South Africa on Tuesday.
European teams continued to dominate the competition at the tournament venues in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and Wavre, Belgium. Although there have been no major upsets, several matches have been closely contested.
The United States followed its 1-1 draw against Argentina with a 3-2 victory over Scotland, earning its first win in two matches. The result strengthened the U.S. women’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
In another women’s match, Argentina edged Germany 3-2 to secure its first victory in two games.
Draws dominated the men’s schedule. Malaysia and France shared the points after a 3-3 result, while Pakistan and Wales finished with the same score. England’s 4-2 victory over India was the only men’s match of the day to produce a winner.
Day 3 results
Women:
- Japan defeated Chile 3-0
- United States defeated Scotland 3-2
- Netherlands defeated Australia 4-2
Men:
- England defeated India 4-2
- Malaysia drew with France 3-3
- Pakistan drew with Wales 3-3
Four former Netherlands women’s internationals were honored during halftime of the match between Australia and the Netherlands. The group included Margot van Geffen, who made 265 international appearances, and Eva Drummond, who earned 266 caps. Some of the former players attended the ceremony with their babies.
Former Australian international Dr. Richard “Rick” Charlesworth was among the notable visitors to the media box. He was seen taking notes during the Australia-Netherlands match and exchanging greetings with members of the Indian men’s and women’s coaching staffs.
Australia earned six penalty corners within 90 seconds during the first quarter but failed to convert any of them. Playing before a nearly full Wagener Stadium, the Netherlands established a 2-0 lead during the first half.
Yibbi Jansen opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Joosje Burg doubled the Netherlands’ advantage in the 21st. Stephanie Kershaw reduced Australia’s deficit two minutes later.
Confusion later arose over the Netherlands’ third apparent goal. Although the venue scoreboard did not register it, the FIH website initially listed it as a goal.
After halftime, Pien Dicke scored when the ball struck the crossbar and bounced back into play. Australia requested a video referral, and the goal was initially allowed, giving the Netherlands a 3-1 lead. However, the stadium scoreboard continued to show a 2-1 advantage.
Abigail Wilson scored for Australia in the 49th minute. The Netherlands challenged the decision, but the video referee upheld the goal. At that stage, the FIH website showed the Netherlands leading 3-2, while the venue scoreboard displayed a 2-2 tie.
Joosje Burg converted a penalty-corner rebound in the 51st minute, before Marijn Veen scored from a goalmouth scramble four minutes later.
The Netherlands was officially awarded a 4-2 victory after its disputed third goal was ruled invalid.
