Sunday, August 16, 2009

INDIA GOES DOWN TO DUTCH


Amstelveen: India lost 3-5 to The Netherlands in their first hockey Test at the Wagener Stadium here.

India did well to come back strong from a 0-5 deficit with strikes from Sardar Singh (40th) and Prabhjot Singh (60th, 69th).

For the Dutch, Timme Hoyng (2nd), Teun de Nooijer (4th), Taeke Taekema (17th and 25th) and Rogier Hoffman (32nd minute) were on target here Friday.

Holland began crisply and shook up the Indian defence, scoring twice in the first four minutes.

Floris Evers intercepted a short pass from Teun de Nooijer before setting up Hoyng in the striking circle. Hoyng dodged past Sandeep Singh and beat goalkeeper Adrian D'souza with a powerful volley to give the Dutch the lead in the second minute.

Two minutes later, further setback was in store for the Indians when De Nooijer, playing his 400th international, pushed home from close range after a goalmouth melee.

India won a penalty corner shortly after when Tushar Khandker was fouled, but Sandeep Singh's effort was saved by custodian Gus Vogels.

India lost two more chances with Rajpal Singh missing out to Khandker and Shivendra Singh's crosses.

The Dutch won their first penalty corner in the 17th minute with Vikram Pillay commiting a foul. Local lad Taekema flicked in high to D'souza's right.

Holland continued their onslaughts as India were unable to block the leakage and conceeded the fourth goal with Taekema converting another penalty corner in the 25th minute.

Hoffman added to the tally in the 32nd minute as the hosts took a 5-0 lead by the breather.

India's first goal came when Sardar got past three Dutch defenders before beating Vogels with an angular forehand five minutes after the break.

This was followed by a brace from Prabhjot in the 60th and 69th minutes from passes by Khandker and Rajpal respectively.