India Crushes South Africa 6-1 in Women’s World Cup

India recorded its biggest victory in the Women’s Hockey World Cup with a commanding 6-1 win over South Africa at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. The victory, India’s first in two matches, strengthened its prospects of advancing to the knockout stage from a group thrown wide open after China stunned England 4-2 earlier in the day. India and China now share the top spot in the group. India leads on goal difference, followed by China. England, with one victory from two matches, occupies third place, while winless South Africa remains at the bottom. India will face England in its final group match, while China will take on South Africa. India started with Bichu Devi Kharibam in goal and adopted an attacking approach from the opening whistle. South Africa earned the first penalty corner after Bichu Devi produced a fine save to deny Caylin Maree. India received its first penalty corner in the seventh minute, but the attempt was saved and deflected away. Sunelita Toppo broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a goalmouth scramble to give India a 1-0 lead. India maintained that advantage through the end of the opening quarter. The Indian side extended its lead two minutes into the second quarter. Navneet Kaur converted a penalty corner in the 17th minute with a low, direct strike to make it 2-0. South Africa attempted to respond through Onthatile Zulu, whose impressive solo run in the 23rd minute unsettled the Indian defense. However, her teammates were unable to capitalize. India quickly regained control and earned another penalty corner in the 24th minute. Navneet’s initial attempt struck a defender’s foot, resulting in another penalty corner. After a series of efforts and another penalty corner award, Sushila Chanu converted a rebound to give India a 3-0 advantage. India continued to apply pressure as South Africa struggled to contain its attacks. Another penalty corner followed in the 27th minute, although India was unable to convert it. The Indian team entered halftime with a comfortable 3-0 lead. Zulu again demonstrated her speed and ball control with another solo run in the 32nd minute, but the move lacked a decisive finish. Earlier, Nisopa Mokoena produced a similar run down the left flank without troubling the scoreboard. India nearly added another goal when Navneet received the ball from Salima Tete and attempted a shot, but the South African goalkeeper made the save with her pads. South Africa could not prevent India’s fourth goal a minute later. Deepika found the target in the 38th minute following an exchange of passes involving Baljeet Kaur and Navneet, extending India’s lead to 4-0. Zulu earned a penalty corner for South Africa in the 40th minute, but the opportunity went unused. Lalremsiami made it 5-0 in the 43rd minute with a powerful drive from the top of the circle. India soon added another field goal. A shot from the right side of the circle struck the goalpost and rebounded into play, allowing Sakshi Rana to collect the loose ball and score with a reverse flick. The goal gave India a 6-0 advantage, the highest score recorded in the tournament at that stage. South Africa scored a consolation goal from a penalty corner in the 56th minute. India challenged the decision through a video referral, but the goal was upheld, reducing the deficit to 6-1. With fewer than 15 seconds remaining, Ishika Chaudhary suffered an injury to her forehead and had to be escorted from the field. India completed the match with a 6-1 victory, its biggest win in Women’s World Cup competition.