K ARUMUGAM

An impressive scoreboard but an unimpressive performance perhaps best sums up India’s 5-3 victory over traditional rivals Pakistan in their final Pool D match of the Men’s Hockey World Cup.The victory nevertheless served its most important purpose. The reigning Asian Games champions moved into the next stage after finishing second in Pool D behind England. It is a step forward from India’s previous World Cup campaign, when they failed to reach the quarter-finals.

But the manner of the victory will leave the Indian camp with plenty to ponder.

India began brilliantly and appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory after establishing a 3-0 lead within 21 minutes.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the fifth minute, converting India’s first penalty corner. Six minutes later, Abhishek doubled the advantage with a field goal, giving India a 2-0 lead.

Harmanpreet struck again from a penalty corner in the 21st minute to make it 3-0. At that stage, India appeared firmly in command.

But Pakistan responded almost immediately. Hannan Shahid pulled one back through a field goal in the 22nd minute.

India restored their three-goal cushion just two minutes later. Abhishek scored his second field goal of the match in the 24th minute to make it 4-1.

Pakistan, however, refused to disappear. Sufyan Khan converted a penalty corner in the same 24th minute, reducing the deficit to 4-2.

That was how the first half ended.

Abhishek does the early damage for Pakistan, India against Pakistan at the 2026 World Cup 

The scoreline suggested India remained comfortably ahead, but the contest was beginning to expose weaknesses that would become increasingly evident in the second half.

India extended their lead in the 35th minute when Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke, awarded after Vivek Prasad was tripped in a dangerous position. India were suddenly 5-2 ahead.

Yet, instead of closing the match out, India allowed Pakistan back into the contest.

Pakistan’s forwards were noticeably quicker and began exploiting the increasingly sloppy Indian midfield and a defence that appeared to have switched off at crucial moments. Hannan Shahid scored his second goal in the 46th minute, bringing Pakistan within two goals at 3-5.

Thereafter, it was largely Pakistan who carried the greater attacking threat.

India were exposed repeatedly as Pakistan found space and launched quick attacks. Their forwards, however, failed to make the most of several promising opportunities. They shot wide or high from inside the circle and also failed to capitalise on one-on-one situations with the Indian goalkeeper.

That lack of finishing ultimately saved India from what could have become a dramatic comeback.

Had Pakistan been more clinical, the final stages could have been very different. India certainly looked vulnerable and, despite their two-goal cushion, there was a sense that Pakistan could equalise at any moment.

The match therefore produced two very different impressions of the Indian team.

The five goals were encouraging. Harmanpreet’s two penalty-corner conversions, Abhishek’s brace and Hardik’s penalty stroke demonstrated India’s attacking efficiency and variety.

But the three goals conceded, particularly after India had established a 3-0 advantage, exposed problems in midfield control, defensive marking and concentration.

The goal sequence tells the story perfectly:

5′ Harmanpreet Singh (PC) — India 1-0
11′ Abhishek (FG) — India 2-0
21′ Harmanpreet Singh (PC) — India 3-0
22′ Hannan Shahid (FG) — India 3-1
24′ Abhishek (FG) — India 4-1
24′ Sufyan Khan (PC) — India 4-2
35′ Hardik Singh (PS) — India 5-2
46′ Hannan Shahid (FG) — India 5-3

For India, the result matters enormously. They have progressed to the next stage, something they failed to achieve at the previous World Cup.

But the performance also comes with a warning.

At the next stage, opportunities may be fewer and opponents more ruthless. Allowing a team back into a match after leading 3-0 could prove far more costly against stronger opposition.

India have advanced in Amsterdam.

The scoreboard says progress. The performance says there is still plenty of work to do.

Photos Courtesy Hockey India