The Indian men’s hockey team on Monday went down fighting 2-3 against the Netherlands in an FIH Hockey Pro League at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Abhishek (20’) and Jugraj Singh (54’) netted a goal each for India, while Thijs van Dam (24’), Tjep Hoedemakers (33’), and Jip Janssen (57’) were the opposition goalscorers.
India began the first quarter with a clear intent to control the game, maintaining possession and executing quick passes to penetrate the opposition’s defence early on. In the sixth minute, forward Abhishek nearly put India ahead when he found space inside the D and unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target.
The Netherlands responded with a switch to counter-attacking play, creating a few scoring chances of its own. However, the Indian defence held firm under pressure, calmly absorbing the attacks while continuing to challenge the Dutch backline at the other end. Despite the fast-paced, end-to-end action, the opening quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter saw the Netherlands ramp up the intensity, adopting a more aggressive approach and nearly taking the lead with two close chances in quick succession. But India remained composed, sticking to its possession-based strategy and dictating the tempo through midfield control.
The visitor also won the first penalty corner of the match, but Harmanpreet Singh’s shot was deflected out. India’s persistence finally paid off when Abhishek, playing his 100th international, broke free from his marker and finished clinically after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Shilanand Lakra.
READ: Cash-strapped Pakistan to send national team for FIH Nations Cup
However, the advantage was shortlived as just four minutes later, Dutch skipper Thierry Brinkman showcased his class with a dazzling run into the circle before setting up Thijs van Dam (24’), who calmly slotted the ball home to make it 1-1. The remainder of the quarter saw both sides probing for openings, but the defences held firm as the teams went into the half-time break level.
The Netherlands came out with intent in the third quarter, pressing high and disrupting India’s rhythm by intercepting passes in midfield. Its aggressive approach paid off when Floris Wortelboer delivered a sharp cross from the left flank to Tjep Hoedemakers, whose tame shot narrowly slipped past Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak to give the host a 2-1 lead.
India, meanwhile, shifted to a counter-attacking strategy and earned a flurry of penalty corners in quick succession, yet couldn’t find the equaliser.
ALSO READ: India junior women’s hockey team defeats Belgium 3-2
The fourth and final quarter saw India intensify its efforts, stringing together quick passes and making several entries into the Dutch circle in pursuit of an equaliser. When India was eventually rewarded with its fourth penalty corner, Jugraj Singh stepped up and made no mistake, hammering the ball into the net to level the score again at 2-2.
Moments later, India had a golden chance to take the lead when Lalit Kumar Upadhyay found himself one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser. Attempting a cheeky scoop over the keeper, Lalit was denied by Visser’s alert reflexes.
The Netherlands responded swiftly and made the most of a penalty corner earned in the dying moments of the game as Jip Janssen (57’) converted it to restore the home side’s lead. India threw everything forward in the final minutes, but the Dutch defence held firm.
India is currently fourth in the points tally having accumulated 15 points from 10 games. It will be seen in action against Argentina on June 11 next.
