Indian women make a point against Olympic silver medallists China in WC opener

India's women's hockey team secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against China in their World Cup opener at the Amsterdam Arena on August 16, 2026. Navneet Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Baljeet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Savita Punia, and Bichu Devi contributed to India's impressive performance. Navneet scored the opening goal in the eighth minute, while Deepika Soreng and Savita Punia added two more goals later in the match.

The Chinese team was struggling to maintain their defense early on, resulting in India's first goal. The match was characterized by individual brilliance and strong teamwork from the entire Indian squad. Head coach Sjoerd Marijne's focus on role clarity, team unity, defensive discipline, and precise finishing paid off, as India ended the match on a strong note despite missing a crucial assist for a potential winning goal.