India women's team crush South Africa 6-1, close in on second-round spot

The Indian women's hockey team recorded their biggest victory in World Cup history as they thumped South Africa 6-1 to edge closer to qualification.India go top of the table with the win (Courtesy: Hockey India)India secured their biggest win in Women's Hockey World Cup history as they thrashed South Africa 6-1 to almost secure qualification into the second round of the tournament. Sunelita Toppo, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Deepika, Lalremsiami and Sakshi Rana ensured India secured all three points and go to the top of Group D.China had defeated England 4-2, meaning that they remained in second spot after 2-2 draw with India. It also sets up Group D beautifully now with India facing England in their final pool game and needing just a point to qualify on August 20.INDIA SHOWING THEIR POTENTIALFor Indian fans, the result on Tuesday will have them dreaming. Their biggest win in the tournament's history was a 4-1 win against Spain all the way back in 1974. That year and that performance will strike a chord as it was the last time the Indian eves made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.Since then, the Indian team has had many stars come and go. All showing promise, but failing to break that glass ceiling. With this Indian team, you sense that this side not only has the quality but the depth to go all the way. In the game against China, which caught the eye of everyone, India's strong and speedy attack gave the 2024 Olympics silver medallists a run for their money.India started off the brightest of both sides and they got a chance early on through Lalremsiami in the second minute but the South African goalkeeper was able to save it. As much as India were attacking, South Africa held the power to use the counter to good effect, which we saw throughout the game. The first instance of this was when they quickly got the Indian defence by surprise with Kayla de Vaal being through on goal, and it needed Bichu Devi to pull off a sensational save to keep the scores level. South Africa's resultant PC didn't yield anything, but the warning signs were there.But what has been refreshing to see under Marijne in his second stint has been the intent to just keep attacking regardless of the opponents. This helped in the tours of Argentina, Australia and the FIH Nations Cup. In the game against China, many felt that India deserved to get the win as well.But here there was no way that the Indian team was going to let any controversial penalty strokes dictate their game on Tuesday. Amid all of their attack, it was a rather tame pass that was able to split open the South African defence and give them the lead.The ball made its way to Sunelita Toppo, who gave Marijne's side the lead with a simple tap-in in the 11th minute.The second quarter started like a dream for India and it was Navneet Kaur who made it 2-0. The PC routine had a bit of Rani Rampal influence to it. The former Indian captain always used to take a touch to confuse the goalkeeper before going for the shot and here Navneet did just that. She stepped up, took a turn to the right from the PC and then slotted it home.South Africa continued to scare India with their strong and menacing forward runs, but often it was always about individual brilliance rather than team cohesion.In India's case, the runs had purpose behind them and they remained menacing. Soon enough, this led to another PC and this time Navneet's shot produced another one.This time, Sushila Chanu was able to recycle the attempt and her shot just ricocheted off Van Tonder.MARIJNE KEEPS INDIA'S FOOT PRESSED ON PEDALOne thing you would like about Marijne is that at times he has a straight approach when it comes to playing hockey. It's not about playing some champagne hockey and being pleasing to the eye. It isn't about being intricate and having those one-touch passes and have all the possession.It's just about attacking and being constant with it. The Dutch tactician was vocal about his team being robbed of a chance of beating China and here he demanded more goals from his team.- EndsPublished On: Aug 18, 2026 20:09 IST