The India women hockey team held Scotland women’s national field hockey team to a tense 2 2 draw in their second Pool B match of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Stadium in Hyderabad.
Despite the stalemate, the India women hockey team retained the top spot in the group standings. Both sides now sit on four points, but the hosts maintain the lead due to a superior goal difference.
Scotland Strike Early In Hyderabad
The match began with both teams adopting a patient build up approach as they looked to establish early control. Scotland quickly found an opportunity when they earned a penalty corner in the sixth minute after India briefly lost defensive shape.
Heather McEwan converted the chance with precision, guiding the ball into the net to give Scotland a 1 0 advantage. The early breakthrough placed immediate pressure on the India women hockey team in front of their home crowd.
India responded with energetic forward runs led by Lalremsiami. The hosts earned their first penalty corner soon after, but Udita Duhan was unable to convert her drag flick attempt.
Navneet Kaur Sparks India’s Comeback
Momentum shifted early in the second quarter as India began dominating possession and creating attacking chances. Their persistence paid off in the eighteenth minute when Navneet Kaur capitalised on a loose ball from a penalty corner situation.
The forward reacted quickly after a trapping error and smashed the rebound past Scottish goalkeeper Jessica Buchanan to level the score. The equaliser lifted the intensity of the India women hockey team as they pressed forward with renewed confidence.
Scotland briefly threatened to regain the lead when Amy Costello produced a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner. However, Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi delivered a superb save to keep the match level.
Sunelita Toppo Gives India The Lead
India continued their attacking push late in the second quarter and were rewarded with another breakthrough just before halftime. Following a chaotic scramble in the circle after a penalty corner, Sunelita Toppo reacted fastest to tap the ball into the net.
The goal gave the India women hockey team a 2 1 lead heading into the interval. Their attacking pressure and repeated penalty corner opportunities had begun to stretch Scotland’s defence.
Scotland Fight Back After Break
The third quarter saw Scotland return with renewed energy and sharper passing combinations. In the thirty third minute, a well worked attacking move orchestrated by McEwan opened space inside the Indian circle.
Fiona Burnet finished the move clinically to bring Scotland level at 2 2. The equaliser shifted momentum once again as Scotland controlled possession for several minutes and limited India’s attacking options.
The India women hockey team eventually regained control through a series of attacking runs that forced three consecutive penalty corners. Despite the pressure, Scotland’s defence held firm and prevented another breakthrough.
Late Chances Fail To Produce Winner
The final quarter produced end to end action as both sides searched for a decisive goal. India created several promising attacks, including a penetrating run from Baljeet Kaur that narrowly failed to find a finishing touch inside the circle.
India also earned their ninth penalty corner late in the match. However, Buchanan produced another crucial save to deny the hosts and keep the scores level.
Despite a strong late surge from the India women hockey team, neither side could find the winner. The match ultimately finished 2 2, leaving India at the top of Pool B ahead of their next encounter against Wales women’s national field hockey team later this week.
Written by 8JJ.com | March 10, 2026
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