India and Netherlands Draw 1-1, Netherlands Win Shootout in FIH Pro League

In a thrilling encounter, India and the Netherlands locked horns in the second leg of their FIH Pro League match in Rourkela, Odisha. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a shootout where the Netherlands emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline.

The Netherlands drew first blood early in the game when Floris Middendorp scored in the fourth minute, marking his first international goal. India fought back and found the equalizer through vice-captain Hardik Singh in the 38th minute, keeping the match level.

The shootout proved to be a tense affair, with Araijeet Singh Hundal and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scoring for India. However, Sukhjeet Singh and Shamsher Singh missed their attempts, handing the Netherlands the victory and two points. India managed to secure one point from the match.

The match witnessed intense pressure from both teams, with India applying early pressure but failing to capitalize on their chances. The Netherlands took the lead with their first circle entry, showcasing their clinical finishing. India's goalkeeper, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, made some impressive saves, denying the Netherlands from extending their lead.

The second quarter saw a neck-and-neck battle, with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess. India's defenders marked the Dutch players tightly, preventing them from creating clear-cut chances. In the 27th minute, Sukhjeet Singh thought he had equalized for India, but the goal was disallowed due to a body hit. India's video referral was unsuccessful in overturning the decision.

After the break, the match continued to be fast-paced and end-to-end. India earned their first penalty corner three minutes into the third quarter, but skipper Harmanpreet Singh failed to beat the Dutch first rusher. Eight minutes later, India secured another penalty corner, and this time Hardik Singh scored from a rebound, leveling the score.

The final quarter was a hard-fought battle, with both teams penetrating each other's circles but failing to find the winning goal. The Netherlands earned a penalty corner, but India's first rusher, Manpreet Singh, bravely defended to deny the Dutch.

India will now face Australia on Saturday before concluding their Pro League home campaign against Ireland on Sunday.

Tags: #FIHProLeague, #India, #Netherlands, #Hockey, #Shootout