It was a game of two halves with India dominating the opening 30 minutes, before China turned the tables to assert why it is ranked five places above its Asian rival.
India had eight World Cup debutants on show, who played with youthful zest but the inexperience ultimately hurt it in its 2-2 draw against China in its Women’s World Cup Pool D opener here at the Wagener Stadion on Sunday. India deservedly went 2-1 ahead at the break after goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika. The Indian team members celebrate after scoring against China during their Women’s World Cup Pool D opener at the Wagener Stadion, Amstelveen, on Sunday, August 16, 2026. | Photo Credit: HockeyIndia The Indian men’s team will take on England in its second Pool D game on Monday.
India’s vertical approach, through the wings, troubled China’s backline as Deepika and Lalremsiami, in particular, looked dangerous with their dribbling and close control. The opening goal came in the seventh minute when Neha fired in a pass to Navneet, which she deftly guided past several feet into the bottom corner of the goal. But a poor foul inside the circle by defender Shilpi Dabas, playing only her sixth senior game, in the dying seconds of the first quarter, allowed China to get on the scoresheet from a Ying Zhang penalty stroke. At the end of the first quarter tactical team talk, India responded to Sjoerd Marijne’s animated instructions by outplaying China.