The events that unfolded as a buoyant India locked horns with the second ranked team in the world contained drama worthy of the high-profile encounter, although the Indians would probably spend another sleepless night mulling over what could have been had PR Sreejesh saved that late goal in the final quarter.
The match against the Netherlands hockey team was never going to be an easy affair, for the London Olympics silver-medalists had enough ammunition to demolish India. Sreejesh’s men had managed only a solitary field goal so far, while the Dutch boasted a massive goal difference of 12.
It was therefore down to the Indian captain and his men to defend effectively against the likes of Mink van der Weerden. The fact that VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh successfully prevented any sort of Oranje threat in the first quarter speaks about a job well done.
However, once Rogier Hofman breached the Indian defence just after half-time, the entertainment factor soared. Raghunath flicked one to the goalkeeper’s left off a penalty corner and drew level with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Seven minutes later, he earned a yellow card along with SV Sunil, resulting in India being down to nine men.
Roelant Oltmans’ men continued the pressure on Sreejesh in the fourth quarter, but it was not until the dying moments that the Dutch could get the better of him.
A tense finish, if ever there was one! In the end, it's Netherlands who edge past India in the cliffhanger!#Hockey pic.twitter.com/YiKUbfxJvz
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 11, 2016When reflecting on the 2-1 defeat, one of the few worries that should be plaguing the team is the constant failure of their forwards. The drag-flickers, although marginally better, haven’t fared up to expectations either. Not being able to convert a single penalty corner despite earning as many as five during the final minutes speaks of deep-rooted issues – both psychological and tactical.
Unfortunately for the Indians, it is this kind of breakdown that restrains them in close games. The next match against Canada holds better odds, but even a victory against them might not be enough to avoid Australia in the knockout stages.
The wounds from the Champions Trophy defeat are still fresh, and unless the Indians develop a habit of finding the back of the net by the next match, a repeat of their previous encounter with Australia might be on the cards.
