India vs Netherlands, Hockey World Cup 2018 quarter-final, Match highlights: Dutch hold on to beat hosts 2-1

Harendra Singh will obviously be very disappointed. It’s not like the Dutch have outplayed the Indians, but the host team could’ve avoided some silly mistakes and taken their chances. Considering the tournament is being played in India, a lot was expected out of them. The crowd in Bhubaneswar has been phenomenal in their support, but we will have to see if they turn up in numbers for the semis and the final.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

The Bhubaneswar crowd is silenced! They are upset. India, once again, fail to make it to the semi-final. Their wait continues as Netherlands deservingly progress to the last-four stage. They will play Australia next.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

That’s it, then. India’s campaign ends with a whimper. The writing was throughout on the wall.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

People are already exiting the arena. Not the best way to support a struggling team. India’s struggles, meanwhile, continue on the turf.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Less than two minutes left in the match.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

The TV umpire says no so no penalty corner.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Good defence by the Indian first runners! Netherlands want another penalty corner and they take the referral.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

India lose their referral after they appealed for a stick block. The TV umpire denies it. And now Netherlands have a penalty corner!

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

India have removed their ‘keeper. They really have no choice. I don’t see an Indian goal coming from anywhere. Having said that, there still is enough time for a goal.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

The clock is ticking for India. They are just not able to stitch a decent move, and as I write this, a PC goes to waste. Less than four minutes to go.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Less than five minutes left in the final quarter.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Nothing for India. Harmanpreet SIngh’s shot is blocked and the rebound is saved by the Dutch goalkeeper.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Penalty corner for India. Nicely done by Chinglensana!

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

Yellow card for Amit Rohidas so he’s out for 10 minutes. Frustration from the Indians.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

GOAL!! Netherlands on the move. That could be a decisive lead. Dutch have silenced this crowd.

INDIA 1-2 NETHERLANDS

It’s a retake and they score! Netherlands have taken the lead!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Penalty corner for the Dutch!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Akashdeep again!! That was a chance.  He misses a pass from Simranjeet. Not good.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Terrific work from Simranjeet to beat defenders on the right. The pass is perfect but Akashdeep is nowhere near the ball. Missed chance, yet again!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Varun’s pass deflects after hitting a Dutch attacker’s foot so it’s no goal. India survive!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

The Dutch scored but Indians have reviewed it.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Third quarter ends. This has been an error-prone quarter for India. They missed chances, conceded turnovers, and allowed the Dutch to control pace. Last 15 mins. They need a goal.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

GOAL? No no no. The referee says it’s free hit for Netherlands as India net the ball. And that’s the end of the third quarter.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Less than two minutes left the third quarter. Will we see a goal from either of the teams?

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Dilpreet again! He misses a pass from Lalit. This is not good, India. Unforced errors may come back to bite as the game progresses.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Now the Dutch miss two good chances. Mirco fumbles the first time and then no Dutch attacker is present in the danger area for a pass from the left side.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

OH WHAT A CHANCE! Surendra’s aerial pass to Lalit and the forward hits it to Dilpreet, but it’s just off the mark.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Akashdeep scored today but he’s not done anything significant after that. Missing few key passes and chances. He needs to up the ante.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

The second penalty corner hits the knee of Amit Rohidas so it’s a free hit for India.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Yet another penalty corner for the Dutch but yet again, they miss it.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Akashdeep!! What a miss, that…he just had a goalie to beat, and he hits high.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Akashdeep Singh with another good chance. His shot flies over the bar and now Netherlands have a penalty corner.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Not so great penalty corner by the Dutch. Indian clear away the danger.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Penalty corner for the Dutch. Good attacking move by Netherlands.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Alright then, time for the third quarter.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Half-time. This has been an absorbing 30 minutes so far, with both teams threatening each other. The defence of both teams has stood tall, which partly explains the scoreline. Expect something unusual in the third quarter.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

End of the second quarter! No goals in the 15-minute play. India took the lead through Akashdeep Singh, but Thierry Brinkman made it 1-1 just before the end of the first quarter. Time for a break 

Game on!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Nilakanta Sharma gets the ball in the D, but a weak shot is kicked away by the rival goalie. The ball is still in the D though, but Nilakanta misses the final touch. The defence has stood tall though; Varun, Amit and Surender have been superb so far.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Manpreet Singh doing extremely well in holding the midfield. He has been instrumental in more than one chances being created by the Indians.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Less than five minutes left in the first quarter.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Indians are doing well to penetrate Netherlands’ defence. Meanwhile, Akashdeep with another good chance but the Dutch goalkeeper averts the danger.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

India’s defence is showing doggedness. Not giving any easy chances for the Dutch.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Good play by India to take the ball into the D, but the final ball is missing.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

The second quarter is underway!

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

Two seconds two go and Netherlands equalise. They were threatening for a while, and Thierry Brinkman beats Sreejesh. India 1 Netherlands 1 at the end of first quarter.

INDIA 1-1 NETHERLANDS

GOAL! Brinkman’s stick touches the ball and Netherlands are back in the match. That’s the end of the first quarter!

INDIA 1-0 NETHERLANDS

The Dutch are celebrating after what looks like an equaliser. The umpires are checking.

INDIA 1-0 NETHERLANDS

Netherlands on the counter now. They are crowding the Indian D, mounting attacks from both flanks, but Indian defence has been sturdy. Kothajit has made a couple of good blocks already.

INDIA 1-0 NETHERLANDS

Less than a minute left in the quarter. Netherlands have increased the tempo of their game.

INDIA 1-0 NETHERLANDS

GOAL! India in the lead. Akashdeep converts first PC on rebound, and this stadium has gone crazy! India have defended well and their turnovers have been quick and nimble.

INDIA 1-0 NETHERLANDS

GOAAAAAL! India are off to a dream start! 

Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty corner is saved, but Akashdeep gets hold of the ball and smashes it to give India the lead in the match.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

Oh first first chance for the Dutch. Hertzberger’s reverse hit is just off the target. Meanwhile, Simranjeet collects the ball in the D, dribbles past two defenders and hits the shot, but nothing comes out of it.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

Netherlands are concentrating on the passing game, but are failing to keep the ball.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

India are dominating the possession so far in the match. Although, nothing significant in terms of chances for both the teams.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

Good start from the hosts. Aerial ball to Lalit and he does well with the dribbling, but the final ball is missing.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

Game time, folks. India versus Netherlands is underway. Semi-final spot at stake. Lots to play for, for sure.

INDIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS

Alright, we are done with the national anthems and the match is underway at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Here’s what captain Manpreet SIngh said in the press conferece: 

“The past results matter a lot because Netherlands have a better result against us. But, we have played well against them recently. We have also beaten them, drew against them at the Champions Trophy. Indian hockey has improved a lot. The match will be tough and whichever team plays better will win.”

The fans are here! 

So @imVkohli's Superfan has @manpreetpawar07's name on his body tonight. Tells me, @TheHockeyIndia will win. #HockeyWorldCup2018 #INDvNED
Follow LIVE on @FirstpostSports pic.twitter.com/U9LQJAe7q3

— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) December 13, 2018

That’s how the Indian team has been lined-up! 

These are the 11 men for India who’ll be starting the match against @oranjehockey in the Quarter Final match of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. #INDvNED #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/GDpwzUpvec

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 13, 2018

India’s playing XI: 

Harmanpreet Singh, Kothajit SIngh, Surendra Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhaya, PR Sreejesh, Neelkanth Sharma. Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Chinglensana SIngh.

Virender Sehwag is in the house! 

Meanwhile, @virendersehwag is in the house, urging a sellout crowd to sing the national anthem with the team.
Follow LIVE on @FirstpostSports #HockeyWorldCup2018 #HWC2018 #INDvNED pic.twitter.com/SeNjInkOiH

— shantanu srivastava (@journoshantanu) December 13, 2018

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar wishes his best for the hockey team! 

All the best Team India, go out and do your best...Hum aapke sath hai!#HumBhiHockey #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/FxbKHXEdCV

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 13, 2018

Belgium have booked their berth in their maiden Hockey World Cup semi-final after a defensive exhibition against Germany. They will play England on Saturday. Meanwhile, India enter the field amid a deafening roar. Hello and welcome to Firstpost for all the LIVE updates and inputs. This will be a cracker, folks. Belt up!

News from the first quarter-final match today between Germany and Belgium. Olympic silver medallists Belgium are through to the semi-final with a 2-1 win.

Here are the squads for both the teams!

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the Hockey World Cup 2018 quarter-final match between India and Netherlands. 

So the day is finally here. Not since 1975, when India last won the hockey World Cup that they made it to the semi-final. This is a golden opportunity for them to break the jinx. Harendra Singh’s boys have done well in the tournament, not losing a match yet, but today, they up against the might Dutch. The World No 4 side will make it extremely difficult for the hosts, but considering the form and home support, Indians will fancy themselves. 

Our correspondent Shantanu is in Bhubaneswar and he will give us all latest updates from the Kalinga Stadium. 

Stay tuned!