The Indian men’s ice hockey team lost 3-2 to the Netherlands in their FIH Pro League game here on Saturday.
Duco Telgenkamp (6th minute), Boris Burkhardt (40th) and Tjep Hoedemakers (42nd) scored for the Dutch, while Sanjay (17th) and Gurjant Singh (45th) scored for India.
India lost 4-1 to the same opponents here on Wednesday but came into Saturday’s game after a convincing 3-0 win over Argentina.
However, India sits at the top of the table with 27 points from 15 games.
India started the game with more possession and tried to attack the Dutch in the early stages. The Netherlands struggled to keep India from scoring despite Amit Rohidas nearly converting a penalty corner.
But it was Duco Telgenkamp who broke the deadlock as he shoved PR Sreejesh past the far post. The Netherlands continued to attack after that, but Sreejesh made some brilliant saves in the closing minutes of the first quarter as India trailed 1-0 before the first break.
India responded with an equalizer early in the second quarter when Sanjay scored from close range. Moments later, both Abhishek and Mandeep Singh had shots on goal but the Dutch held on.
Both teams continued to look for the next goal, leading to unbridled hockey in the second half of the quarter. However, neither side managed to break the deadlock and both teams went into the break tied at 1-1.
In the third quarter, the Dutch weathered the storm from India well and then started pushing the visitors back.
Four minutes from the end of the period, the Dutch managed a quick attack from the right, with Boris Burkhardt shooting past Sreejesh to make it 2-1.
A few minutes later, the Dutch won a series of penalty corners and converted the third as Tjep Hoedemakers found his way into the scorer’s table.
The Netherlands led India 3-1 at half-time.
In the last quarter, Lalit played against Gurjant Singh, who shot the ball before the end of the first minute to make it 3-2.
India were keen to equalize and for a time had the numerical advantage. Mandeep and Co. gave their all in the next phase of the game, but the Dutchman persevered.
India next plays Argentina on Sunday.
