New Delhi: Netherlands defeated the Indian men’s hockey team by 2-1 in the first match of the European leg of the FIH Pro League on Saturday. The Dutch scored the winning goal just two minutes before the final whistle through Van Dam Thijs, who also scored the equalising goal in the 25th minute of the match.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored the first goal through a penalty corner to give his team the lead. The Men in Blue started the match strongly with crisp passing and dominating possession despite the Netherlands’ high press.
In the first eight minutes of the match, neither team posed any real threats on goal, but India got an opportunity soon after as they won the ball in the Dutch circle. Dilpreet’s close hit was shut down by Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser.
Dilpreet Singh’s reverse hit, however, was shut down at close range by Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser. At the other end, Netherlands threatened at the end of the first quarter, but the Indian defence stood strong to avert the danger.
The Netherlands started the second quarter with intent as Steijn van Heijningen tested Suraj Karkera in the 17th minute, but the Indian goalkeeper blocked the effort. The Men in Blue replied with purpose and were awarded a penalty corner after Dilpreet was impeded by a stick challenge inside the circle.
Captain Harmanpreet fired a powerful, low shot to give India the lead in the match. In the second quarter, India showed a tight defensive formation, but the home team managed to score a goal in the 25th minute with Thijs van Dam finding the equaliser.
Thijs van Dam’s late goal secures Win for Netherlands
Harmanpreet and Co. began the second half strongly, but the visitors were hindered by a lack of clear scoring opportunities and shots on goal. India looked to bypass the midfield with long aerial balls to break the deadlock, but the Dutch responded strongly.
At the other end, the Netherlands asked regular questions to the Indian backline with attacking play, but the scores remained 1–1 after the third quarter. The hosts had most of the possession in the last quarter, and they made it count as Thijs van Dam struck again in the 58th minute, making the most of a well-placed pass into the circle.
Harmanpreet and Co. will face the Netherlands again in the second match of the European leg on Monday. The Men in Blue played the home leg of the ongoing Pro League in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, where they scored 15 points with five wins in eight games.
The Netherlands scored the winning goal two minutes from the final whistle and defeated the Indian men’s hockey team by 2-1. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
