Hockey Junior World Cup: Spirited India fall to Netherlands

New Delhi: Hosts India put up a gallant fight before going down 2-3 against the formidable Netherlands in their opening match of the Hero FIH Junior hockey World Cup, here today. The Indians conceded three field goals in the opening half as the Netherlands scored twice through Milan van Baal (3rd minute, 28th) and once through Mark Rijkers (25th) to make life difficult for the hosts. For India, Gurjinder Singh (13th) converted a penalty corner while Akashdeep Singh (42nd) scored from a field effort. [caption id=“attachment_1271963” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  India lost its opening game at the Junior Hockey World Cup. Reuters[/caption] The Indians started on a bright note but as time progressed they fizzled out, allowing the Dutchmen to take control over the proceedings. Netherlands stunned the handful of cheering home supporters present at the floodlit Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on a chilly evening by striking the first goal in the third minute. The Dutchmen scored from their very first attack when Milan van Baal sounded the board from close range after receiving a pass from Tom Hiebendaal. The Indians had an opportunity to equalise in the next minute on their first penalty corner but Sukhmanjit Singh faltered. They, however, equalised soon from their second penalty corner which was perfectly converted by Gurjinder Singh to level the scores. But the home team’s joy was short lived as Netherlands pumped in two quick field goals, courtesy some sloppy work at the back by the Indians, to silence the crowd. Mark Rijkers first scored with a fierce reverse hit after pouncing on a loose ball inside the circle and then three minutes later an opportunist Van Baal made the scoreline 3-1 in favour of Netherlands after tapping home a rebound as the Indians were guilty of committing hara-kiri inside their ‘D’. Just five minutes from half time, Netherlands earned their first penalty corner but wasted the opportunity as India went into the breather trailing 1-3. The Indians looked more sharp and effective after the change of ends. Trailing by two goals, India had no other option but to attack from the onset and the home team players did just that. It did not take long for the Indians to pull one back as Akashdeep scored a brilliant field goal to raise the tempo of the match. Ramandeep Singh sends an aerial ball on top of D which Akashdeep receives. He then dodged the surging Netherlands goalie Piet Noordam, who tried to block and scored with a diagonal reverse hit from an acute angle. Pumped by the goal, the Indians went on the offensive and put pressure on the Netherlands defence with relentless attacks. But Dutch defence stood tall like a rock to thwart India. Man-to-man marking was the highlight of Netherlands game as they did not give much space to the Indian forwards to create clear scoring chances. India will next play Canada in a must-win game tomorrow, while Netherlands will be up against Korea. Meanwhile, in other matches of the opening day, Pakistan survived a late scare before prevailing over lowly Egypt 3-2 in Pool A while France defeated Spain by identical margin in Pool B. In the opening round matches of Pool D, an impressive Malaysia eked out a fighting 3-2 win over New Zealand while South Africa beat England 2-1 to register their first win in the tournament. PTI