The Indian women’s hockey team has been relegated from the FIH Pro League following a crushing 3–0 defeat to China in their penultimate match of the 2024–25 season. The loss marked India’s seventh consecutive defeat in the European leg and sealed their drop to the second-tier FIH Nations Cup for the 2025–26 season.
🏑 China Dominates as India Falters
China’s clinical performance saw goals from:
- Chen Yang (21st minute) – penalty corner
- Zhang Ying (26th minute) – penalty corner
- Anhul Yu (45th minute) – field goal
Despite a promising start with early circle penetrations and two penalty corners, India failed to convert. Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia made several key saves, but the defense crumbled under sustained pressure.
India’s best chance came in the 55th minute with a penalty stroke, but Deepika missed, summing up a frustrating outing for the team.
📉 Relegation Confirmed
With just 10 points from 15 matches, India sits at the bottom of the nine-team standings. Even if they win their final match against China, they cannot surpass England, who have 11 points from 14 games and are set to play Germany again.
“We are giving away too many soft PCs,” admitted head coach Harendra Singh, highlighting India’s persistent penalty corner woes.
⚠️ What This Means for Indian Women’s Hockey
- India will now compete in the FIH Nations Cup, a week-long tournament offering fewer matches and lower global exposure
- The relegation is a major setback ahead of the 2026 Women’s World Cup and 2026 Asian Games
- The team’s decline follows a missed qualification for the Paris Olympics, raising concerns about long-term planning and execution
🧠 Tactical and Structural Concerns
Analysts point to:
- Poor penalty corner defense
- Lack of finishing in the final third
- Inconsistent team structure, despite an experienced squad averaging 81 international caps
Stay tuned for India’s final match and post-season review.
