Sjoerd Marijne takes Indian women's hockey team to best World Cup finish in 52 years - can they get better? India’s women’s hockey team concluded the FIH Women’s World Cup 2026 with a fifth-place finish after a 3-1 victory over Germany on Wednesday evening. This result marked their best-ever performance in the tournament since finishing fourth in 1974, ending a 52-year gap during which India had not surpassed seventh place. The achievement, achieved just six months after Marijne returned to coach the team, highlights significant progress for the squad, which had previously struggled with qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024 and relegation from the FIH Pro League. Marijne’s team demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, with their defensive discipline forming the backbone of their success. Over six matches, India conceded only six goals, a testament to their organized structure under his 3-4-3 formation. Key players like Shilpi Dabas and Sushila Chanu anchored the midfield, while defenders such as Neha Goyal and Nikki Pradhan provided crucial support. The goalkeeping duo of Savita Punia and Bichu Devi further solidified the defense, with Punia’s experience and Devi’s emerging talent ensuring India rarely conceded despite facing top-tier opponents. Despite their defensive strength, the team’s attacking output remained inconsistent. India scored 11 goals in the tournament, with six of those coming in a single game against Germany. However, their inability to capitalize on opportunities proved costly. In a critical match against Australia, which eliminated them from semifinal contention, India squandered two clear chances, with forwards Nikki Pradhan and Deepika Sehrawat failing to convert despite the goal gaping.#sjoerd_marijne #indian_women_hockey_team #fih_womens_world_cup_2026 #neha_goyal #nikki_pradhan
