RAIPUR: After the fighting 1-1 draw against Germany, India, it looked, had turned a corner. The first 10 minutes of their match against the Netherlands in the Group B clash of the World Hockey League final also followed the same pattern. Fight, drive and lots of discipline.
However, that’s when the self-correcting mechanism took hold of Sardar Singh’s men as they conceded avoidable goals to go down 1-3 against the defending champions. The hosts remained compact and attacked with control in the first two quarters. But two goals in a space of seven minutes in the third-quarter from Mink van der Weerden (36th) and Mirco Pruijser (43rd) brought about a sense of indiscipline to the home side’s play.
They managed to pull one back through Chinglensana Kangujam (47th) but a superior Dutch side had the final laugh, with Roel Bovendeert finishing the scoring in the 54th minute.
The loss means that the Indians, who enjoyed only 36 percent possession, finish their league obligations with just a point. Their reward will be a match with Group A toppers in the quarters.
India started the match brightly with Akashdeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh going close early. While their play lacked penetration and composure in the final third, they made up for that with willing runners and an industrious midfield. However, all their positivity was undone after a penalty corner was given against VR Raghunath for dangerous play.
Man of the Match Billy Bakker pushed the ball out and the set play was emphatically converted by Mink. Rupinder Pal Singh soon got a green card and it was during his absence that Dutch went 2-0 ahead, this time Mink turning provider for Pruijser to score.
Speaking after the match, India coach Roeland Oltmans said it wasn’t a cardable offense. “I might get in trouble but it wasn’t a card,” he said. About the match, he conceded that there was still work left. “I’ve always said we need 6-8 years and we are just in year three. This is directly linked to the team’s development process.”
The home side, buoyed on by a smallish-but-boisterous crowd, did strike back through Chinglensana after the Dutch defense failed to clear a penalty corner. They upped the ante to try and restore parity but the Dutch had the final say.
Results: Group B: Netherlands 3-1 India; Argentina 3-1 Germany.
Tuesday’s fixtures: Group A: Canada vs Australia (6.30 pm on Star Sports 4), Belgium vs Great Britain (8.30 pm on Star Sports 1).