Now Reading: Harmanpreet brace leads India to 3-1 World Cup win over Wales
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Harmanpreet brace leads India to 3-1 World Cup win over Wales
India opened their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium on Saturday. Sanjay Rana scored in the eighth minute before captain Harmanpreet…
The Story in Brief
India opened their FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 win over Wales at Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium on Saturday. Sanjay Rana scored in the eighth minute before captain Harmanpreet Singh converted two penalty corners, in the 11th and 43rd minutes. Wales pulled one back through Sam Welsh in the 55th minute, but India’s defence secured the three points.
The victory puts India at the top of Pool D, which also includes England and Pakistan. India, seeking a second World Cup title after winning in 1975, next face world No. 3 England on August 17. The team finished ninth at the 2023 edition in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian Opinion
The loudest narrative will either declare India title favourites after one win or dismiss the result because Wales scored late. Both readings go too far. India’s penalty-corner execution was sharp, but Wales also created chances and held firm for long periods. England will offer a better measure of India’s control, defence and open-play attack. The scoreline against England will test the early optimism.
Sources (4): newindianexpress.com, timesnownews.com, hindustantimes.com, sports.ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
