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India’s men’s hockey team lost 1-2 to the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League. Harmanpreet Singh scored first, but Thijs van Dam equalized and secured the Dutch win with a late goal.
Harmanpreet Singh (Image: X)
The Indian men’s hockey team squandered a one-goal lead and lost 1-2 to Olympic champions Netherlands in the first match of the European leg of the FIH Pro League on Saturday.
The Netherlands clinched the winning goal two minutes before the final whistle through Van Dam Thijs (58th minute), who had also scored the equalizer in the 25th minute.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh had converted the first penalty corner of the match in the 19th minute to give India the lead.
India started the match strongly, dominating possession with crisp passing despite the Netherlands’ high press.
In the first eight minutes, there were no real threats on goal from either side. However, India soon got an opportunity when they won the ball in the Dutch circle.
Dilpreet Singh’s reverse hit was blocked at close range by Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser.
On the other end, Netherlands threatened late in the first quarter as Thierry Brinkman approached from the right flank, but the Indian defense stood firm to avert the danger.
The Netherlands came out with intent in the second quarter, with Steijn van Heijningen testing Suraj Karkera in the 17th minute, only for the Indian goalkeeper to block the effort.
India responded purposefully and were rewarded with a penalty corner after Dilpreet was impeded by a stick challenge inside the circle. Captain Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a powerful, low shot to give India the lead.
As the second quarter progressed, India exhibited a tight defensive formation, but the home team managed to break through in the 25th minute with Thijs van Dam scoring the equalizer, leaving the scores at 1-1 before half-time.
In the second half, India’s strong passing game dominated, but the team struggled with a lack of clear scoring opportunities and shots on goal.
To break the deadlock, India attempted to bypass the midfield with long aerial balls, but the Dutch defense was prepared.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands grew increasingly assertive, posing more challenges for the Indian backline, though the scores remained 1-1 after a tepid third quarter.
In the final quarter, the Netherlands enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, and the hosts capitalized. Thijs van Dam struck again in the 58th minute, making the most of a well-placed pass into the circle. With a deft first touch, he followed up with a fierce strike, ensuring victory for the Netherlands.
India will face the Netherlands again on Monday in the second match of the European leg.
Earlier this year, India played the home leg of the ongoing Pro League in Bhubaneswar, where they accumulated 15 points with five wins in eight games.
(With PTI Inputs)
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