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Preview: The Olympics-bound Indian men’s hockey team will kick-start its preparations for the quadrennial showpiece when it debuts in the FIH Pro League against World No 3 the Netherlands on Saturday. After having missed the first edition of the event, India will take on the 2019 Pro League and European bronze medal winners, the Netherlands, in two matches in their opening tie at the Kalinga Stadium. The second match will be played on Sunday. With all the top teams of the world in fray, the home-and-away Pro League will be ideal preparation for World N0 5 India ahead of the Summer Games later this year. After the Dutch side, India will host world champions Belgium on February 8 and 9 followed by two more home fixtures against Australia on 22 and 23 February. The Indian team will then leave for the away games in Germany (25 and 26 April) and Great Britain (2 and 3 May). India will return to play on home soil on 23 and 24 May against New Zealand before travelling to Argentina to play on 5 and 6 June. The Manpreet Singh-led side will play the last leg of the Pro League round-robin matches in Spain on 13 and 14 June. India’s head coach Graham Reid will be aware of the challenges that await his team in the Pro League opener. Having served as a former assistant coach to the Dutch, Reid knows exactly what to expect from Netherlands in the double header. The matches will also provide India a chance to avenge their heart-breaking 1-2 loss in the quarterfinal of the 2018 World Cup. A look at the previous 10 meetings between the two teams reveals that there is little to choose between them. The Netherlands have won five of those meetings, with India victorious on four occasions and one match ending in a draw. Reid too insisted that they are looking at the Pro League outings as a platform for Olympic preparation. “It will be important to start strong and sharp in the Pro League with our first three encounters against the top three teams in the world,” Reid has said. “We will be focussing on getting our structures right and honing our set plays as preparation for our Olympic campaign.” The Indians would also benefitted by their familiarity with the Kalinga Stadium turf, having trained and played numerous matche. It is the same venue where the eight-time Olympic champions qualified for the 2020 Games after thrashing Russia 11-3 on aggregate in the two-leg FIH Qualifiers in November last year. “The matches against India are a very important opener. Playing against India at their home ground is challenging no doubt but it is also very exciting because we love playing in Bhubaneswar,” Netherlands coach Max Caldas said. Caldas too is looking at the Pro League as preparation for Olympics. “The players and combinations we wanted to test were experimented during the previous edition of Pro League. This edition we will have our most competitive team as this will be the stepping-stone for us to be the best at Tokyo,” he said. India will field a full-strength team which will witness the return of midfielders Chinglensana Singh and Sumit, who were out with injuries. Chinglensana was on the sidelines with an ankle fracture since the National Championship last year, while Sumit suffered a wrist injury in June during the FIH Men’s Series Final.
India vs Netherlands, FIH Pro League 2020, Highlights: Hosts thump World No 3 Dutchmen 5-2 in high-intensity clash
Catch the live score and updates from the FIH Pro League 2020 match between India and the Netherlands
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That’s all we have for now.
It was a brilliant performance from the Indian side to score five goals against one of the top hockey nations. Credit to the all the players who pressed the Dutch and forced them to make mistakes.
We will be back again tomorrow for the second match at the same stadium. Do join us then. Have a good night!
Billy Bakker, Dutch captain
“We played good only in one quarter. I don’t think (adaptability) was a problem. It was not a good performance from us today.
Lalit Upadhaya, player of the match:
“I thank the crowd for the support. All the credit goes to my teammates and my coach. It’s always a tough situation when a player comes from an injury. We have a dream at Olympics so we have to prepare for everything.”
IND 5-2 NED
It’s all over! What a performance from the Indians. They dominated the higher-ranked Netherlands and ended up scoring five goals. Top notch!
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
Akashdeep finds space and tries a reverse hit. Good power but the accuracy is missing.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
Less than two minutes left in this quarter. The Dutch need some sort of a miracle now.
They get a penalty corner but the hit is saved well by the Indian goalkeeper.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
Chance for India with Akashdeep going inside the circle from the left but the Dutch defenders spoil the opportunity.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
Amit Rohidas takes charge for the penalty corner but his shot is wide.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
Once again, India get their referral right so yet another penalty corner for them.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
India get another penalty corner but this time, their play didn’t work out. Good clearance by the Dutch players.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
The Dutch have been routed in this match. Poor defence but credit to India as well for taking their chances. They should now see the match out.
Fourth QT: IND 5-2 NED
GOAAAL!
Rupinder Pal Singh scores his second of the day with a solid penalty corner conversion.
IND 4-2 NED
The final quarter is in progress and India get a penalty corner after the ball hit the back of the stick of a Dutch player.
IND 4-2 NED
End of the third quarter. A superb one for India as they score two goals. The Dutch need to up the ante.
Third QT: IND 4-2 NED
Three back-to-back penalty corners for the Dutch for the second time in this match and they fail to score again. A frustrating quarter for the away side.
Third QT: IND 4-2 NED
The Dutch went missing in this quarter and they have paid price for it. The defenders are guilty of making it easy for the Indian attackers. Need something special from them to turn the match around.
Third QT: IND 4-2 NED
Penalty corner for India after the ball hit the back stick of the Dutch defender. Harmanpreet Singh’s effort ricocheted outside.
India’s referrals have been on point all thought the game.
Third QT: IND 4-2 NED
GOAAAAL!
Harmanpreet Singh with a brilliant ball and Lalit converts from the close range. India, once again, lead by two goals.
Third QT: IND 3-2 NED
Penalty corner for India after the Dutch player intentionally uses his foot to push the ball away. Rupinderpal Singh takes charge but the hit is wide.
Third QT: IND 3-2 NED
GOAAAL!
Mandeep Singh with a superb turn and finish to give India the lead again.
IND 2-2 NED
The third quarter begins at the Kalinga Stadium.
Graham Reid
“We started the game well but then we stopped doing things that gave us 2-0 lead.”
IND 2-2 NED
End of the second quarter and we will have a break now. India took an early two-goal lead but the Dutch bounced back to make it 2-2.
Second QT: IND 2-2 NED
Another penalty corner for the Dutch but it’s a good save from the Indian goalkeeper.
IND 2-2 NED
GOAL!
The Dutch find the equaliser. Jeroen Hertzberger with an easy tap in to make it 2-2. They deserve the goal in this quarter.
Second QT: IND 2-1 NED
Good attempt from Kellerman from inside the circle but the shot is way off the target.
Second QT: IND 2-1 NED
Netherlands get a penalty corner after the ball hits Rupinderpal Singh’s leg but India make use of the video referral. The replays show that the ball in fact hit the stick so India keep their review.
Second QT: IND 2-1 NED
The Dutch are dominating the possession and they are attacking in good rhythm. Indian defenders need to keep up their concentration levels.
Second QT: IND 2-1 NED
Three back-to-back penalty corners for the Dutch but they fail to find the equaliser. Good block by India goalkeeper Sreejesh in the third PC.
Second QT: IND 2-1 NED
Brinkman finds space inside the circle and tries for a powerful hit but the shot is off target.
IND 2-1 NED
The second quarter is underway at the Kalinga Stadium.
IND 2-1 NED
End of the first quarter! Phew, this game has been a cracker so far and looks like there are more goals to come in this one.
14’ IND 2-1 NED
India get another penalty corner but this time, they fail to convert the opportunity.
13’ IND 2-1 NED
The Dutch reduce India’s lead. Jansen with a perfect penalty corner conversion!
11’ IND 2-0 NED
GOAAAAL!
Rupinderpal Singh scores from the penalty corner.
11’ IND 1-0 NED
India playing the counter-attacking game. They get a quick break as Lalit Upadhaya runs from the left towards the goal. The ball hits the Dutch player’s foot inside the circle and India have a penalty corner.
9’ IND 1-0 NED
Good run from SV Sunil from the right wing to inside the box but he fails to put in the final pass. Takes time to pull the trigger and the chance is gone.
7’ IND 1-0 NED
The Dutch are dominating the midfield play but the final ball is missing. Indians are defending deep and they are doing a good job so far.
4’ IND 1-0 NED
Credit should also go to Mandeep Singh, whose sprint from the left wing was instrumental in the first goal. Th Dutch are shocked but they can bounce back in no time.
GOAL!
IND 1-0 NED
What a start for India! Gurjant Singh scores in the first minute of the match.