Internet Desk: Indian men’s hockey team played a hard match to lose it 2-1 to Netherlands today. Both the teams build pressure on each other in a thriller of a contest. However, Netherlands defended better than India which gave them the win.
The first two quarters of the match was goalless. This shows the quality of hockey both the teams played. In the first quarter both the tams could reach upto the Dee box of the either side once only. Both the teams took the strategy of not conceiving any goal.
In the second quarter also both the teams could not score. Netherlands did press forward with some penetrations into the scoring circle but India were happy to keep it tight. None of the teams could earn any penalty from any of these quarters.
Sreejesh continued to stand like a wall in front of the goal post as he made save after save to deny Netherlands the lead. India received a blow when SV Sunil and VR Raghunath were served yellow cards.
All the three goals came in the last two quarters of the match. Rogier Hofman’s 32nd minute goal was equalised by Indian drag-flicker Raghunath in the 38th minute. Penalty corner specialist Mink van der Weerden scored the winner for the Dutchmen in the 54th minute.
The final minute of the match was very interesting. Indian players did not leave the hope of winning the game till the last second. India charged and got plenty of penalty corners, with six seconds to go. The PR Sreejesh-led unit failed to convert and lost the contest 1-2, their second defeat.
Despite the loss, India remained in the third spot with six points, while the Netherlands moved to the top spot with 10 points. India will play Canada in their final pool game. Meanwhile, a 4-4 draw between Argentina-Germany helps Indian men’s hockey team enter the knockout stage for 1st time since 1980.