India held 2-2 by China in Women's World Cup Pool D opener at Wagener Stadion

India were held to a 2-2 draw by China in their Women's Hockey World Cup Pool D opener at the Wagener Stadion in Amstelveen on Sunday, August 16, 2026, with inexperience cited as a factor in failing to protect a first-half lead.

Eight World Cup debutants featured for India as the team dominated the opening 30 minutes before China, ranked five places higher, fought back; India led 2-1 at halftime through goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika, and employed a vertical approach through the wings that troubled China’s backline.

The match’s first goal arrived in the seventh minute when Neha fed Navneet Kaur, who deftly guided the ball past several feet into the bottom corner. A late first-quarter foul inside the circle by defender Shilpi Dabas—playing only her sixth senior game—gave China a penalty stroke that Ying Zhang converted to level the scores.

After the first-quarter tactical talk, India reacted to coach Sjoerd Marijne’s animated instructions by increasing pressure and winning possession high up the pitch, repeatedly forcing turnovers. In the 24th minute Deepika’s mazy run into the circle won India a third penalty corner, which she converted to restore a 2-1 lead.

Early in the second half China began to disrupt India’s outlet play from the flanks and pinned India in its own half, with midfielder Li Hong asserting herself and dictating play. Ma Ning restored parity for China with a rasping dragflick in the 38th minute.

China outnumbered India 13 circle penetrations to three in the final two quarters and created four penalty corner opportunities while India had none in that period; goalkeeper Savita Punia made several crucial interventions as India secured a draw. The official scoreline read: China 2 (Ying Zhang 14, Ma Ning 38) drew with India 2 (Navneet Kaur 7, Deepika 24).

The Indian men’s team will take on England in its second Pool D game on Monday.