Salima Tete laments missed chances as India exit Hockey World Cup after 0-0 with Australia
India captain Salima Tete said her side regretted squandered opportunities after India were eliminated from the Hockey World Cup following a goalless draw with Australia in Amstelveen on August 23, 2026.
Australia moved into the semi-finals on goals scored after the 0-0 result, leaving India unable to find the single goal that would have kept their campaign alive despite a resolute defensive display. Five years after beating Australia 1-0 in the Tokyo Olympic quarter-finals, India could not reproduce that outcome with a semi-final place at stake.
“We don't feel good, we came so close, but we let this game go out of her hands. We need to learn from this match. It was a tough game for us. We will learn from this. We had some chances as well, and we didn't finish,” Salima said after the match.
India's clearest openings included a penalty-corner variation just before half-time that left Nikki unmarked, but she missed the attempt with the goal at her mercy. In the third quarter Deepika failed to make clean contact after a promising move involving Navneet and Baljeet, denying India another presentable chance.
Early in the final quarter Salima delivered a low cross that found Navneet inside the circle, but hesitation between Navneet and Lalremsiami allowed Australia to close down the opportunity; Navneet had also been crowded out by defenders earlier. With five minutes remaining India substituted goalkeeper Bichu Devi for an extra outfield player but were unable to fashion a clear opening.
Australia also had two goals ruled out following successful Indian referrals, moments that provided India temporary reprieves but ultimately did not alter the outcome as the Hockeyroos held firm.
India began the tournament with a 2-2 draw against China, followed by a 6-1 win over South Africa and a goalless draw with England, then lost 0-2 to the Netherlands before the 0-0 stalemate with Australia ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
“We lose as a team, we'll fight to finish fifth, this World Cup isn't finished for us,” Salima added, signalling India will contest the tournament's remaining classification matches to determine their final placing.
