India beat Australia in shootout as Belgian men and Dutch women top the log at Pro League halfway mark

Lausanne, Switzerland: Australia’s men’s side missed an opportunity to take the lead in the FIH Hockey Pro League standings at the halfway stage after drawing with India and then losing the resulting shootout on the final day of action in Hobart on Wednesday.

That means Belgium retain their spot at the top of the table with 22 points after seven wins and one draw, with the Australians second on 21 and Argentina third on 17. Last season’s winners, the Netherlands, are fourth with 15 points.

In the women’s tournament, China beat Australia 3-1 in Hobart to climb to fourth spot with 14 points, just ahead of Spain. The Dutch women still top the log with 21 points, just ahead of Belgium (also 21) and Argentina (17), with the second half of the season set to play out in June.

(Women’s) Australia 1 – 3 China

China wrapped up the Hobart leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League with a convincing 3-1 win over hosts Australia.

The Chinese exerted early pressure, creating all the chances and earning several penalty corners. While they couldn’t capitalise on those set-pieces, the breakthrough soon came from open play when Australia were dispossessed and Liu Chencheng drove into the circle, crossing for Zhong Jiaqi to flick the ball over the keeper’s shoulder for a well-deserved 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Some beautifully quick interplay between the Chinese attackers at the start of the second quarter saw them double their advantage, with Zou Meirong applying the final touch in the 17th minute. Although much of the remainder of the quarter belonged to China, Australia began to carve out a few opportunities. Their best chance was first saved by Wu Surong and then superbly cleared off the line by Tan Jinzhuang, preserving the 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Australia pulled one back in the third quarter when Lucy Sharman’s penalty-corner strike took a fortunate deflection off a Chinese defender in the 40th minute, earning her first senior international goal. China responded quickly, though, with lovely 3D skills from Zeng Xueling along the baseline ending in a neat pop into goal just four minutes later. Although Australia produced a stronger second-half display, the Chinese defence held firm to secure the 3–1 victory.

China’s Tan Jinzhuang was named as player of the match and said: “I’m so excited today that we finished the game with very good defence.”

(Men’s) Australia 1 – 1 India (SO: 1-3)

Australia’s unbeaten streak came to an end after drawing 1-1 with India and then being outgunned 3-1 in the shootout.

The Kookaburras enjoyed the better chances in the opening quarter, but Indian goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikuma rose to the challenge, ensuring the match remained scoreless at the first break. The end-to-end action continued in the second quarter, but with most of the opportunities created being limited to half-chances, neither side could find the breakthrough as the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.

The third quarter brought a series of near misses. A slick team effort from the Indians ended with the final shot going just wide of goal. And Australia’s best chance came from a turnover in the circle which saw Cambell Geddes passing to a diving Tim Brand, who just couldn’t find the necessary touch.

After some ill-discipline from India, captain Jeremy Hayward finally found the breakthrough for the Australians with a drag down the middle from a penalty corner in the 49th minute. But India struck back just three minutes later when Shilanand Lakra received a great ball in front of goal and fired it in on the turn for the equaliser. That sparked the match to life, with plenty of action at both ends. With just three seconds left on the clock, Australia were afforded one last chance to clinch the win from a penalty corner, but they failed to trap the ball, sending the match into a shootout, which India won to secure the extra bonus point.

Indian goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikuma was named player of the match and said: “Losing the first match against Australia in the shootout was very tough, but we went on the videos and all, and we came [back tonight]. It’s a very great environment for hockey here.”

Current Hero Top Scorers:

Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (8 goals)

Men – Tomas Domene (ARG) (12 goals)

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.

FIH Hockey Pro League – 25 February 2026

Tasmania Hockey Centre, Hobart (AUS)

Women

Result: Match 36 (W)

Australia 1 – 3 China

Player of the match: Jinzhuang Tan (CHN)

Umpires: Junko Wagatsuma (JPN), Rebecca Edwards (ENG), Sophie Bockelmann (GER-video)

Men