HOCKEY WORLD CUP | Fulton rues lack of field goals as India stares at the exit

The lack of field goals remains an area of concern for the Indian men’s team, which is staring at a World Cup exit, after another disappointing result against a top-ranked side.

On Saturday (August 22, 2026), India lost 3-1 to co-host Netherlands in the second round, leaving it at the bottom of the Group E table.

According to head coach Craig Fulton, that was the “best we’ve played stats-wise” against Netherlands in a major tournament, but the result has left the group “bitterly disappointed.”

India scored from another Penalty Corner, but came up short in field play. It has scored just three field goals in the tournament with two of them coming in the win over World no. 12 Pakistan. Senior forward Mandeep Singh, who is yet to open his account, has had a tough outing.

“We played a good game with a good game plan. I thought we needed to score a goal in the first half. We created one or two really good chances but it wasn’t to be. When we came out in the third quarter [we were] okay. It was still fine,” Fulton told The Hindu after the loss.

“We just couldn’t connect enough in the D to try and get a field goal. I think we won probably four [six] PCs and scored one. But [in] field chances, we needed the field goal. That was what we were pushing for,” he added.

Although India conceded two counter-attacking goals, which included an error from midfielder Manpreet Singh for the third goal, the South African refused to point fingers at any players for the goals conceded.

“I think I can’t fault anyone’s effort and approach and attitude to doing what needed to be done today. It was a really, really tough game. I thought we did really well. We just needed to get ahead,” said Fulton.

Fulton revealed that skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored the lone goal from a Penalty Corner, played through a back injury, which had to be managed. Right after Harmanpreet scored, he went off the field to receive treatment, during which time, Netherlands re-established its two-goal lead.

“We’ll see now afterwards. He had a stiff back. He rested in training but it wasn’t serious. and then he played and he scored. But at the same time, we have to look after the human first and make sure he’s okay,” said Fulton.

To pull off a monumental turnaround and make the semifinals, India will need a victory of four goals or more against Argentina, while Netherlands also needs to beat England on Monday.