India beat Pakistan 4-2 in high-scoring FIH World Cup Pool D game in Amstelveen today
India defeated Pakistan 4-2 in a high-scoring FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Pool D encounter in Amstelveen today, with four goals coming in a frantic second quarter. The hosts led 4-2 at halftime and Sukhjeet Singh was shown a green card just before the interval.
The match carried heavy qualification implications: India need at least a draw to progress to the next round while Pakistan must win to keep their campaign alive, and England have already qualified. The teams emerged for the national anthems with India in all-orange and Pakistan in white with shades of green. India head coach Craig Fulton said: "It's history, the rivalry is healthy. We have to play the game, not the occasion. We're excited to play the game. They are a good team, they can score, but we're also a good [team]," and Pakistan head coach Bob Veldhof added: "Let's say we play the final today. It's always extra special to play India,". Starting XI: Suraj Karkera (GK), Harmanpree Singh, Sumit, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Rajinder Singh. Subs: Jarmanpreet Singh, Aditya Lalage, Mohith HS, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra.
India opened the scoring from a penalty corner when Harmanpreet Singh converted, and they followed up by converting another corner to take a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. A field move finished by Mandeep Singh provided the second goal, although the FIH website later credited that strike to Abhishek after a deflection off a Pakistan stick. India dominated much of the opening quarter with most action in Pakistan’s half.
Early in the second quarter India extended their lead via a penalty-corner variation in which Rajinder Singh's initial drag-flick was saved before Harmanpreet struck on the rebound; the report cites that as Harmanpreet’s fifth goal of the 2026 World Cup and made it 3-0. Pakistan responded through Shahid Hannan, who followed up a rebound after a save by Suraj to make it 3-1. Abhishek then "restores India's three-goal cushion with his second of the game — and his fourth goal against Pakistan!" to put India 4-1 before Pakistan reduced the deficit again.
Pakistan's second came from a penalty corner converted by Sufyan Khan, with the ball taking a deflection off Amit Rohidas on its way into the net to make it 4-2. Play had been briefly stopped earlier in the half when the ball flew into the stands and struck a spectator, prompting the umpire to call for a doctor to attend. Sukhjeet Singh will serve a one-minute suspension after being shown a green card just before the halftime whistle.
Former Pakistan great Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s chief selector, urged defensive compactness and direct midfield play, saying: "I would advise Pakistan captain to keep a compact defence and not concede any penalty corners to India in the first quarter," and "My suggestion to the midfielders is to advance towards the goal instead of passing backwards. The forwards will have to score through diagonal and interchange passes,". Samiullah also reflected on past crowds and styles: "Earlier, India and Pakistan would play Olympic and Asian Games finals and there would be huge hype. In 1978 and 1982, 20,000 to 35,000 spectators would watch us," and he added: "Europeans made hockey like football and eliminated skill. But teams like Belgium and Germany are now showing skills inside the circle. India and Pakistan also need to bring back dribbling and artistic hockey to revive the charm of old rivalry,".
India captain Manpreet Singh warned against underestimating Pakistan: "The match against Pakistan will be good, but we are not underestimating them. They also have good drag-flickers, so we will have to avoid giving them penalty corners. We must also create opportunities and capitalise on them. We must focus on our natural game,". Former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh discussed defensive organisation and the team’s formation changes, saying: "One important thing is that we need to stay compact in defense when playing against European teams. Otherwise, we should play our natural game in the World Cup." He added: "In defence, we used zonal marking, so we need to improve our understanding in that area. We should not drop too deep. We need to step out, press high, and defend even beyond the centre line." The report also notes India began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales before a 2-4 defeat to England, while Pakistan drew 3-3 with Wales after losing 1-4 to England.
The second half will resume with India holding a two-goal advantage and Pakistan requiring a win to remain in contention for progression from Pool D; India need at least a draw to move into the next round.