Amstelveen, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
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 here on Monday.
Nicholas Bandurak scored twice for England, while Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft added a goal each as England recovered from a 1-2 deficit to secure victory and confirm a top-two finish in the pool.
For India, captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner, while Dilpreet Singh scored from a well-worked move.
India had the first clear chance in the seventh minute when Jarmanpreet Singh found himself with a clear sight of goal, but his effort went wide. England earned a penalty corner three minutes later, only for Manpreet Singh to produce an excellent stick block.
England took the lead in the 14th minute when a precise aerial ball caught the Indian defence off guard, allowing Bandurak to finish clinically.
India levelled two minutes into the second quarter through Harmanpreet, who unleashed a powerful penalty-corner flick into the top-left corner.
The Indian side then completed the turnaround in the 25th minute. Hardik Singh worked the ball along the baseline to Abhishek, whose bouncing pass found Dilpreet at the far post for a simple finish.
India went into half-time 2-1 ahead after registering eight shots on goal compared with England’s three.
England, however, gradually regained control after the interval. Rushmere equalised in the 39th minute after getting a touch to a long slap-push from the right.
Croft then put England ahead in the 43rd minute with a quick strike after another aerial ball helped the English side enter India’s 23-metre area. It was Croft’s maiden World Cup goal.
India pushed for an equaliser in the final quarter, but England’s defence held firm. Harmanpreet’s penalty-corner attempt in the 47th minute was kept out, while Abhishek narrowly missed with a tomahawk four minutes later.
England sealed the victory in the 55th minute when Bandurak converted another penalty corner with a low flick past goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to complete his brace.
The defeat leaves India with one win and one loss. England lead Pool D with six points from two matches and have qualified for the next phase.
India, currently second, will face Pakistan in their final pool match. The fixture is now a must-win encounter for Harmanpreet Singh and his teammates to secure a top-two finish and remain in contention for a semi-final berth.
Pakistan and Wales have one point each from two matches.
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