While it might seem like a squandered opportunity to upset a strong outfit, there will be plenty of learnings for this young Indian side to take forward.
Forward Deepika scored India’s second goal which had given Sjoerd Marijne’s side the lead for the second time in the match against China. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
It was a game of two halves with India dominating the opening 30 minutes, before China turned the tables to assert why it was 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 with China in their Women’s World Cup Pool D opener in Amstelveen at the Wagener Stadion on Sunday.
India deservedly went 2-1 ahead at the break after goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika Sehrawat. India’s vertical approach, through the wings, troubled China’s backline. India’s skilful forwards, Deepika, Navneet and Lalremsiami, in particular, chased down long balls along the turf and were dangerous with their dribbling.
The opening goal came in the seventh minute when Neha fired in a pass to Navneet, which she deftly guided past several feet to trickle into the bottom corner of the goal.
AS IT HAPPENED | India vs China Highlights
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But a poor foul inside the Indian circle by 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, Sjoerd Marijne kept punching his fist emphatically to suggest his women continue going hard at China. They responded by outplaying China.
Even in the two minutes India was a player down, it held possession, not allowing China to capitalise on the numerical advantage. When India was restored to its full capacity, it kept its foot on the throat of the Chinese side in the final seven minutes of the quarter, which translated into regaining the lead.
Every time China looked to play out of its own half, the Indian players swarmed around them, snapping at them, to win the ball and force a turnover. In the 24th minute, Deepika’s mazy run into the circle, earned India its third Penalty Corner, from which she converted.
But early in the second half, the warning signs started to ring for the Indian team. China cut out India’s outlet of playing the ball out from the flanks and pinned it in its own half.
India deservedly went 2-1 ahead at the break after goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika Sehrawat. India’s vertical approach, through the wings, troubled China’s backline. | Photo Credit: Hockey India
Baljeet Kaur made a crucial block at the start to deny a goal-scoring chance before Savita Punia pulled off two quick reflex saves. China’s gangly midfielder Li Hong asserted herself, dictating play, before her team restored parity for the second time from a rasping drag-flick from Ma Ning. Savita had no chance of stopping it.
In the last two quarters, China had 13 circle penetrations to India’s three, while adding four PC opportunities and restricting India to none. India hung on for a valuable point thanks to further interventions from Savita.
While it might seem like a squandered opportunity to upset a strong outfit, there will be plenty of learnings for this young Indian side to take forward.
DATE . 16 / Aug/2026