HOCKEY WORLD CUP | Fulton rues lack of field goals as India stares at the exit
The Indian men's hockey team faces a potential World Cup exit after a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. Coach Craig Fulton expressed disappointment over the team's inability to convert field play into goals despite a strong statistical performance.
Why it matters
This highlights the struggles of a major national sports team in a high-stakes international tournament, impacting national morale and sports development.
The lack of field goals remains an area of concern for the Indian men’s team, which is staring at a World Cup exit, after another disappointing result against a top-ranked side.
On Saturday (August 22, 2026), India lost 3-1 to co-host Netherlands in the second round, leaving it at the bottom of the Group E table.
According to head coach Craig Fulton, that was the “best we’ve played stats-wise” against Netherlands in a major tournament, but the result has left the group “bitterly disappointed.”
India scored from another Penalty Corner, but came up short in field play. It has scored just three field goals in the tournament with two of them coming in the win over World no. 12 Pakistan. Senior forward Mandeep Singh, who is yet to open his account, has had a tough outing.
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