On Monday, March 9, India’s women’s hockey team resulted in a 2-2 draw in their second match of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 against Scotland in Hyderabad.
Both India and Scotland are now tied with four points in their group standings of Pool B with India in the No. 1 spot on goal difference. Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo were the goal scorers of the Indian team, while for Scotland it came from Heather McEwan and Fiona Burnet.
Scotland powers through the start and secures their first goal in the sixth minute of the match earning through a penalty corner from McEwan and getting the early lead. India on the other hand, started to counter back by attacking and creating pressure that got them multiple penalty corners but the advantage felt short as none of them got converted.
However, it was not until the 18th minute in the game that India tied the score. Navneet scores the first goal after getting a loose ball from the penalty corner, the ball goes past Scottish goalkeeper Jessica Buchanan and India gets the goal. Taking that momentum forward they continue to push down Scotland and get themselves the lead before half-time. In the 29th minute, Toppo capitalises on a rebound and takes the attempt, scoring the second goal for India.
In return, Scotland responded back after entering the third quarter of the match through Burnet who got the second goal for them in the 33rd minute. With the two teams tied at 2-2, the rest of the match saw a tight and intense contest between India and Scotland in order to get the lead over the other. India got several penalty corners in the final quarter, but goalkeeper Buchanan denied all of those attempts, giving Scotland the advantage.
None of the teams managed to add any more goals despite the pressure from both sides and the match ended in a draw. India’s women’s hockey team started their Hockey World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a strong start as the team defeated Uruguay by 4-0 on Sunday, March 8.
In that match, Toppo, Ishika, Lalremsiami and Rutuja Pisal were the goal scorers who led their team to an opening tournament victory. However, as the leading team currently, India will next face Wales in their final Pool B match scheduled on March 11.
