After a goalless draw against Australia quashed its semifinals hopes, India will look to finish its FIH Women’s World Cup campaign on a high against Germany in the fifth-sixth place classification match in Amstelveen on Thursday.
Irrespective of the result, Sjoerd Marijne’s side is assured of its best-ever finish at the World Cup since 1974, when it finished in fourth place.
But a win would go a long way in instilling belief in the side as it closes its World Cup chapter and turns its attention to the Asian Games in September, where a gold medal would bring direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India had finished third at the last edition but a 2-2 draw against Asian champion China would inspire it to target the first place.
Despite losing just one game in Amstelveen, and holding higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws, India’s lack of goals has come under the scanner. Deepika and Navneet Kaur have struck twice each and their poor conversion rates from short corners cost the team eventually.
“We needed to score goals. [But] we were not close to the goal. We had one Penalty Corner and that didn’t run the way we wanted.
“These things happen and we have to learn from this. Like if you would say five-six months ago, you’re going to play for fifth-sixth position at the World Cup, then nobody would believe us. Now we’re going to play in that match, which I think is good.
“But you always want more. That’s why there’s more disappointment. I think you need to be disappointed because that’s how sports work,” said Marijne after the 0-0 result against Australia led to India’s elimination.
On the flipside, though, India’s defense has been organised and tough to crack. Even the vaunted Netherlands attack had to really dig in to score two goals. On Thursday, India would want to emulate the same defiant effort against the World No. 5 Germany, which will be desperate to produce a show fitting the ranking gap between the two teams.
The German side is now coached Janneke Schopman, who has been India’s head coach in the past and was also the assistant to Marijne when India finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.
Published on Aug 26, 2026
