India eliminated after 0-0 draw with Australia at Wagener Stadion

India were eliminated from the Hockey World Cup after a goalless draw with Australia at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen on August 24, 2026, in a match they needed to win to reach the semifinals. The Salima Tete-led side could not break the deadlock and exited the competition at the second-round stage.

India had produced an inspired run into the second round but the latest phase exposed weaknesses in their game, leaving them third in Group E. Australia advanced to the last four by edging India on the tiebreaker of more goals scored. The match was described as error-strewn for India, who required a victory to progress.

Chance creation from open play was limited for India, and the team’s goalless streak extended to three matches in the tournament. In the closing minutes India substituted an extra outfielder for their goalkeeper in search of a goal, but the move failed to produce the decisive strike.

Australia’s close marking repeatedly disrupted India’s build-up, leading to turnovers in dangerous areas of the pitch. Those turnovers prevented sustained Indian pressure for long periods and repeatedly forced the hosts onto the back foot.

Australia had two goals disallowed during the contest. Within 90 seconds Grace Stewart swept home after a deflection off Sushila Chanu’s thigh but the TV umpire ruled the finish to be high and overturned it; later, Stephanie Kershaw reacted with visible disbelief when another Australian penalty-corner finish was ruled out in the third quarter.

Much of Australia’s threat came down the right flank, where Amy Lawton produced two reverse-hits that required saves from Savita Punia and Bichu Devi during the opening two quarters. India then had to withstand a series of penalty corners in the closing stages, defending repeatedly to remain alive in the match.

India will now play in the fifth-sixth classification match, while Australia proceed to the World Cup semifinals after topping the group on goals scored.