Pakistan’s FIH World Cup journey ends after 5-3 loss to India

AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands): Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek scored a brace each as India extended their unbeaten run against arch-rivals Pakistan with a 5-3 win in their FIH World Cup pool match at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen on Wednesday to advance to the second round.

The defeat in their last pool ‘D’ match ended Pakistan’s poor campaign in the first stage of the 16-nation showpiece.

Pakistan, who lost their opening pool match to England (4-1) before managing to draw 3-3 against Wales, fought back after conceding three goals but India held their nerve to seal a memorable win in front of a packed-to-capacity venue.

Indian captain Harmanpreet scored twice from penalty corners, while Abhishek struck two fine field goals and Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke.

For Pakistan, Hannan Shahid scored twice, with Sufyan Khan adding one from a penalty corner.

The result saw India and England — who routed Wales 8-2 in Amstelveen on Wednesday to top pool ‘D’ — qualify for the second round from the pool. India, however, will carry no points into the next stage after losing to England in the opening round.

The India-Pakistan contested match also marked the first World Cup meeting between the two traditional rivals in 16 years. India had beaten Pakistan 4-1 in the 2010 edition staged in New Delhi.

With Pakistan needing a win to stay alive in the event, India started aggressively and dominated the opening quarter.

India earned four penalty corners in the first 15 minutes and Harmanpreet converted the second in the fifth minute with a powerful grounded flick to put his side ahead.

Abhishek doubled the advantage in the 11th minute, showing superb control to collect Harmanpreet’s aerial pass before his shot took a deflection off a Pakistani stick and found the net.

Harmanpreet had another opportunity from a penalty corner but Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza read his flick well.

Pakistan finally began to find some rhythm early in the second quarter but India struck again in the 21st minute.

India tried variation from a set piece this time as Harmanpreet gave a back pass to Rajinder Singh, whose shot was saved, but the rebound fell to the India captain, who made no mistake with the second attempt.

Pakistan responded through Hannan in the 22nd minute. His first attempt was saved by Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, but he found the net in the second attempt.

Abhishek restored India’s three-goal cushion in the 24th minute after receiving a long pass from Jugraj Singh, dribbling into the circle and seeing his effort deflect off a Pakistani defender into the goal.

Pakistan earned their first penalty corner soon after and Sufyan converted it to reduce the scoreline to 4-2.

India were reduced to 10 players after Sukhjeet Singh received a green card shortly before the interval, but they went into the half-time break with a two-goal advantage.

Hardik then restored India’s three-goal lead in the 34th minute after Aditya Lalage was obstructed inside the circle, resulting in a penalty stroke.

Pakistan continued to threaten and Hannan pulled one back in the 46th minute after India lost possession in the midfield, making it 5-3.

India had opportunities to put the game beyond Pakistan’s reach but Sukhjeet missed a one-on-one chance in the 41st minute before Abhishek and Dilpreet Singh also failed to capitalise on promising openings.

Pakistan earned another penalty corner in the closing stages, but their variation failed to trouble the Indian defence.

Also on Wednesday, France held defending champions Germany to a 1-1 draw in their pool ‘B’ clash at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium.

In the games staged late Tuesday, Olympic champions Netherlands downed Argentina 3-1 in their pool ‘A’ clash in Amstelveen while Ireland outplayed South Africa 4-1 in a pool ‘C’ game in Wavre.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2026