Harmanpreet equalised but India lost in the shootout.Picture Credit: Twitter
India faced the table-toppers Netherlands in the 2022 edition of the FIH Pro League at Rotterdam. Netherlands, Belgium, and India are guaranteed to receive a medal but are contesting for the top spot to get a gold medal.
In the ninth minute of the match, Reyenga Tijmen scored a goal, by successfully piercing the gap provided by the Indian team. However, 12 minutes later, Dilpreet Singh delivered for the team with an excellent field goal to get the equalizer. No goals were scored in the third quarter of the fixture, with both teams playing in a competitive manner.
Action Packed Fourth Quarter
The Netherlands team took the lead after Bijen Koen scored a goal in a one-on-one encounter with the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.
With 2 minutes and 35 seconds remaining, the Indian team conceded a penalty corner, but the aimed shot was put away by Sreejesh. A few seconds later, the Dutch team was again intelligent to receive a penalty corner, but the shot was haywire resulting in another failed chance.
In the last 30 seconds, India won three penalty corners on the trot, and Harmanpreet Singh finally converted the third one into a goal in the last two seconds with an accurate shot. With the scoreline 2-2, it was all upon the shootouts.
In the shootouts, the Netherlands darted four goals, while India could score only 1 goal and lost the match.
After the culmination of this fixture, the Netherlands has 10 wins in 13 league matches, while India has eight wins in 15 appearances.
India will play their last fixture of the tournament against the same team on 19 June (Sunday). They will have to win the final game to still have a chance to win the silver medal, otherwise the team is likely to settle for a bronze medal.