India beat South Africa 6-1 at Wagener Stadion to move top of Pool D

India defeated South Africa 6-1 at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen on Tuesday in a Pool D match at the Hockey World Cup, recording their biggest World Cup win with six different scorers and moving to the top of the group; their goal difference improved to +5.

China’s 4-2 victory over England an hour before pushback opened a path for India, and Sjoerd Marijne’s side capitalised by producing a comprehensive win that leaves them needing only a draw against England in their final pool game to secure progression to the second round. India began the match nervously, committing misplaced passes and mistraps and being handed chances from turnovers, but they grew into the game after the opening goal.

The opener arrived against the run of play when midfielder Sunelita Toppo finished in the 10th minute, poking home from Sakshi Rana’s pass after South Africa failed to clear inside the circle; Sunelita had an earlier shot saved. That goal steadied India’s possession and helped them find better rhythm in passing and penetration.

In the second quarter India converted their second penalty corner when Navneet Kaur struck in the 16th minute after initially allowing Deepika the first attempt; Navneet took a touch away from the first rusher and hammered her drag-flick onto the boards. India’s attacking approach then produced three short corners in succession, with defender Sushila Chanu scoring off a rebound in the 24th minute to register her first goal since 2023.

The third quarter featured three tomahawk finishes across seven minutes as India asserted control: Deepika bent a tomahawk into the bottom corner in the 37th minute; Lalremsiami, who had been conferred the Arjuna Award earlier in the day, slotted in from a tight angle on the right in the 43rd minute; and 18-year-old Sakshi sealed the scoring burst by firing into the roof of the net in the 44th minute.

South Africa finished the match on the scoresheet from a well-worked penalty corner when Kayla de Waal deflected home in the 54th minute, preventing a clean sheet for India. The 6-1 scoreline stood as India’s biggest World Cup margin and produced the +5 goal difference that moved them clear at the top of Pool D.

With the group leaders’ position secured temporarily, India require only a draw with England in their final pool match to ensure a place in the second round; the Indian men’s team, meanwhile, will need a victory when they face Pakistan on Wednesday to progress.