Last Updated:
India’s men’s hockey team lost 3-2 to the Netherlands in their second consecutive FIH Pro League defeat.
FIH Pro League: India lost to Netherlands 2-3 (X)
The Indian men’s hockey team lost 3-2 to Olympic champions the Netherlands in their second consecutive FIH Pro League defeat on Monday. Abishek, earning his 100th cap, scored for India in the 20th minute, while Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner in the 54th. The Netherlands’ goals came from Thijs van Dam (24th minute), Tjep Hoedemakers (33rd minute), and Jip Janssen (57th minute).
India, having already lost 2-1 to the Netherlands on Saturday, began the match strongly with nine circle penetrations in the first quarter, but couldn’t convert their pressure into goals. An early chance fell to Abhishek in the sixth minute, but his shot went wide. Shilanand Lakra then intercepted the ball in midfield and drove into the Dutch circle, only to shoot wide. The Netherlands’ Tjep Hoedemakers had two opportunities, a reverse hit from a tight angle and a deflection, both of which missed the target. India earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, but the Dutch defence thwarted Harmanpreet Singh. Two minutes later, India took the lead through Abhishek’s powerful strike into the top of the net from Lakra’s assist.
India’s lead was short-lived. Four minutes later, Thijs van Dam levelled the score, capitalising on a loose ball from Thierry Brinkman’s pass that deflected off an Indian stick.
The Dutch started the second half strongly, taking the lead three minutes into the third quarter. Derck de Vilder’s pass found Hoedemakers, who neatly deflected the ball into the goal. The Netherlands then earned their first penalty corner, which went wide. India responded by dominating possession and earning six quick penalty corners, but Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh failed to convert. India’s profligacy was evident in their inability to convert more than one of their nine penalty corners.
Towards the end of the third quarter, India earned a further five penalty corners in quick succession, but Harmanpreet and Jugraj were unable to break through the Dutch defence. In the 54th minute, two more penalty corners were awarded to India, the second of which was converted by Jugraj Singh to equalise. However, with three minutes remaining, Janssen converted the Netherlands’ second penalty corner to secure the victory.
India’s next match is against Argentina on Wednesday.
(With inputs from PTI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov… Read More
- First Published:
