India’s women’s hockey team have started their campaign for the Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026. On Sunday, March 8, India defeated Uruguay by a decisive win of 4-0 held at the G. M. C. Balayogi Hockey Ground in Hyderabad. Sunelita Toppo, Ishika, Lalremsiami and Rutuja Pisal were the goal scorers of the match that led to their victory in the opening game of the tournament.
India started the opening quarter in aggressive fashion winning an early penalty corner that got them a near-missed opportunity of a goal. After going through variations, Udita found a net and made an attempt to score but she got ruled out instead as the shot was quite high.
However, in the 21st minute of the game, India broke the strike through Toppo who converted a quick rebound from the penalty concerns and scored the balk into the net. The lead was maintained by India throughout the second quarter, but Uruguay made continuous efforts to counterattack but they failed to get past India’s defence.
India got their second goal in the 40th minute through Rana who converted into the bottom corner after getting a precise pass. Uruguay tried to create opportunities for themselves by earning a penalty corner, but India refused to go down. The hosts extended their lead in the third quarter after Pisal drived forward from the left and passed it to Lalremsiami, who then took the ball into the circle and went on to score a field goal.
India added their fourth goal in the 58th minute through Pisal who took the ball through the middle and scored directly into the net sealing the victory for India. Registering their first tournament, India will next face Scotland in their second Pool B match scheduled on March 9.
