India let history slip out of its hands with a heartbreaking quarterfinal defeat against the Netherlands in the men's hockey World Cup, a result which left the young players of the team crying on the pitch.
A well-oiled Indian unit had raised the hopes of making the semifinals for the first time since 1975 but the Dutch side broke a million hearts by coming from behind to knock out the hosts 2-1 in the last-eight clash.
Young players such as Dilpreet Singh left the pitch with tears in their eyes.
India took the lead in the 12th minute through Akashdeep Singh before Thierry Brinkman drew parity for Netherlands five seconds before the end of the first quarter.
After a hard-fought third quarter, Netherlands scored the winner in the 50th minute when Mink van der Weerden converted a penalty corner.
The defeat ended India's long cherished dream of lifting the trophy only for the second time after its lone triumph in 1975 at Kuala Lumpur.
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 13, 2018
- Leo Tolstoy pic.twitter.com/MiRq2IlrIg
#MadhyaPradeshElections2018 #KamalNath supporters sloganeering outside Madhya Pradesh Congress headquarters in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/KpSpDcIO6Z
— The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) December 13, 2018
FT. India ends their run at the OHMWC Bhubaneswar 2018 with an unfortunate loss against @oranjehockey as the team played their hearts out, but fell short against a determined Dutch side on 13th December.#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/4YZCmBCXYy
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
The Netherlands will now face Australia in the semi-finals as they win the match 2-1
50' GOAL! @oranjehockey have pulled ahead thanks to @MinkvdWeerden's set-piece attempt.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
IND 1-2 NED#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 13, 2018
- Leo Tolstoy pic.twitter.com/MiRq2IlrIg
The Netherlands celebrate prematurely as the goal is denied after India refer successfully.
Q4 Begins!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
IND 1-1 NED#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey
After the Netherlands keep the posession in the first five minutes of Q3, India win the ball to counter attack.
HT. Nothing to separate both the teams as @TBrinkman95 equalizes for @oranjehockey minutes after the lead earlier taken by India from a goal by @akashdeeps985.#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/2b64ge46Di
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
Possession:
India- 50%, The Netherlands- 50%
Circle penetrations:
India- 10, The Netherlands- 7
Shots:
India- 3, The Netherlands- 2
.@akashdeeps985's 7th Goal at the World Cups and his 2nd at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/c5Qnx9doa1
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
24' WHAT A CHANCE! @manpreetpawar07 lines up a ball for @akashdeeps985 who gets a shot in that is saved by @PirminBlaak, who stays strong on his line to ward off the rebound shot by Nilakanta.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
IND 1-1 NED#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey
The Dutch are into the attack as they penetrate the Indian circle in the first minute of the quarter.
Possession:
India- 45%, The Netherlands- 55%
Circle Penetrations:
India- 6, The Netherlands- 5
Shots-
India- 2, the Netherlands-2
12' GOAL!!!!! @akashdeeps985 feeds off the rebound with his signature tomahawk shot and fires India into the lead!!!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
IND 1-0 NED#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/cPfxqEw5px
India win a penalty corner after the ball hits the Dutch defender inside the circle.
India have started to attack with Akashdeep trying to enter the Netherlands circle.
Not just teams, it’s a battle between individuals as well. Who’d be the last man standing and making more saves, the experienced campaigner, @16Sreejesh or the promising, @PirminBlaak? Find out tonight when India face @oranjehockey!#INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/xcx74P0YsG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
India have never beaten the Netherlands at World Cup.
(Played- 6, India-0, The Netherlands-5, Draw-1)
These are the 11 men for India who’ll be starting the match against @oranjehockey in the Quarter Final match of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. #INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/GDpwzUpvec
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018
