HOCKEY WORLD CUP | India enters the next round with a mountain to climb
The Indian men's hockey team has qualified for the next round of the World Cup following a 5-3 victory over Pakistan. Despite the win, the team faces criticism for defensive lapses and inconsistent performance as they prepare to face tougher opponents.
Why it matters
It reflects the high expectations and performance pressures placed on the Indian national team in a major global sporting event.
There is no ‘away’ World Cup if you are an Indian team. You will be hard-pressed to go to a corner of the globe without running into an Indian and Amstelveen is no exception. The Amsterdam suburb, one of the World Cup co-hosts, is home to more Indians than any other nationality.
For skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the game against Pakistan felt like ‘playing in India’ as he was serenaded by the large number of expats after his two goals in the 5-3 win on Wednesday.
India's Manpreet Singh celebrates with fans after the World Cup Field Hockey pool D match between India and Pakistan in Amstelveen, Netherlands, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP
But admiration also adds pressure to perform as India chases its first world title in 51 years. Despite securing qualification to the second round, India has underwhelmed.
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