8-Nations U-21 Hockey Tournament | India lose 2-3 to Netherlands in second consecutive match
India succumbed to their second consecutive defeat of the 8-Nations U-21 tournament as they went down 2-3 against the Netherlands as goals from Vishnukant Singh and Sudeep Chirmako didn’t suffice. The Indian colts had lost 0-3 in their last match against Australia and will play hosts Spain next.
Despite a hard-fought match, the India junior men’s hockey team lost 2-3 to the Netherlands in a group stage encounter on Tuesday. The Netherlands team was the first to take their chances in the opening quarter as Jim van de Venne scored in as early as the fifth minute.
Though India kept their attacking play on in search for an equalizer, neither of the sides could get another goal before the break. The next quarter saw India coming back to life as Vishnukant Singh got the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
However, before India could regroup and work their plan again, the Netherlands took the lead yet again through van de Venne, who converted a Penalty Corner to get his second. With the Netherlands leading at the break 2-1, India started the second half with high intensity up top and failed to cover their goal in the process.
Derck de Vilder made the slim lead to two in the 32nd minute and a comeback looked difficult now. The Indians didn’t let the intensity drop and after Koen Bijen received a green card in the 36th minute, leaving the Netherlands one player short, Sudeep Chirmako reduced the deficit to one goal in the 37th minute.
The final quarter saw the Netherlands defending astutely and even Valentijn Charbon getting a yellow card didn’t matter as they won 3-2. India will play Spain next in a group stage encounter on June 13.