Bhubaneswar, Dec 13 (UNI) The three-time champions Netherlands knocked out the
home team India by 2-1 goals after a tough fight and sailed into the semifinals of the
Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup at Kalinga Stadium here on Thursday.
Netherlands will now play the defending Champions Australia in the semi-final.
Unbelievable crowd for the match and all were in their toes, the Dutch team had won
all the six matches they played against India in the World Cup. In fact after 2006 the
teams had never met in a any tournament.
With the speed and power Netherlands again defeated India to intact their records of
winning all the World Cup encounter against India.
It was Jeroen Hertzberger smashed a powerful stroke which crossed passed out side
of Indian post in the 10th minute.
The Indian team charged with the crowd and Harmanpreet Singh was created penalty
corner (PC), he had scored 49 goal as a dragflicker since 2014, but his shot was
blocked by Oranje goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak, but Akashdeep Singh was collected the
rebound to draw the first blood in the 12th minute.
Last edition runner up Netherlands bounced back immediately by scoring the equaliser
in the 15th minute. Thierry Brinkman was deflected the ball into the top corner of the Indian
post, the anticipation of P R Sreejesh was gone wrong, he could have easily save the goal
by marching forward.
The second and third quarter produced few half chances for both the teams and the score
board remain unchanged 1-1. The Indian team was couldn't able to control the ball and gave
few miss passes also.
In the final quarter, the Netherlanders awarded with back to back PC in the 50th minute.
Dragflicker Mink van der Weerden nailed the winning goal for Netherlands through the legs
of the P R Sreejesh in the 50th minute.
Surendra Kumar of the Indian team received the man of the match award.
UNI XC-BM