BHUBANESWAR, Feb 12: Ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics helped India pull off a thrilling 4-2 shootout win against defending champions the Netherlands in their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.
Sreejesh made two stunning saves in the shootout, while Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Shamsher Singh converted their chances to help India bag a bonus point. Hardik Singh (13’) and Harmanpreet Singh (58’) scored a goal each for India, while Jip Janssen (30’) and Koen Bijen (39’) got on the scoresheet for the Dutch in what was a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation time.
The World No.1 team was quick to get off the blocks and made attacking runs inside India’s circle in the opening minutes of the game. They took various shots on target, but Indian goalie Krishan B Pathak stood tall to deny the Dutch from taking the early lead.
India, on the other hand, took some time to settle in. Their first real chance came in the 12th minute, when they won back-to-back penalty corners, but couldn’t capitalise on it. In the following minute, India broke the deadlock through Hardik from an open play. India started the second quarter brightly and enjoyed the ball possession, but couldn’t create much of a danger. They yet again earned back-to-back penalty corners but the Dutch denied the hosts from doubling the lead.
The visitors earned their first penalty corner in the 25th minute but missed out on converting it. However, they continued with the same attacking intent and were rewarded with yet another penalty corner in the dying seconds of the first half. Janssen made no mistake as he hammered the ball into the bottom corner, making it 1-1 at the half-time.
It was a cagey start to the second half, with both teams cautiously controlling the ball in the midfield and not giving away much space. A thrilling start to the final quarter saw both teams creating goalscoring opportunities. While the Dutch missed out on converting their penalty corners, India kept missing the target in the striking circle.
AUSSIES EDGE SPAIN
European powerhouse Spain staged a second-half fightback against Australia, but it was not enough to beat the Kookaburras who emerged as 4-3 winners in a thrilling match of the first cluster in the men’s FIH Hockey Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.
Blake Govers celebrated his 150th cap for Australia in a riveting 4-3 win against Spain. The Australians dominated a first half in which both goalkeepers were called upon to make early saves.
Lachlan Sharp, Jake Whetton Blake Govers were in the scoresheet for the Aussies. While, Marc Miralles,Nicolas Alvarez and Pol Cabre Verdiell scored for Spain. Spain went all out in the final two minutes and there was brief elation as they deflected one in on the final hooter, but it was disallowed as the umpires ruled that the ball entered the circle in a dangerous position. (IANS)
