FIH Pro Hockey League: India Women's team Lose to the Netherlands

Commendable Performance by the Dutch

The match started off on a good note for India, who scored a goal within the first 34 seconds. Their first attack morphed into a penalty corner that was picked up by a Dutch defender and then Rajwinder proceeded to aim at the net. India's early lead threatened the Dutch, who needed to redeem themselves after almost losing in their previous game. The Indians looked confident and quickly took over the match. Their attack seemed strong, unlike the Netherlands, as they piled up a host of circle entries which did not bring in results. The Indian defence was determined to close all lanes which could potentially allow the Dutch strikers to score.

However, the course of the match changed in the fourth quarter. The Netherlands wanted to level the score which motivated them to create a high press of their own. They were looking to push the Indian defence into surrendering possession which ended up opening a series of penalty corners for them and their opponent consequently experienced exhaustion. Although Savita Punia managed to save the shots fired out of alarming penalty corners, the Dutch refused to give up. Their efforts finally bore fruit when they secured a goal through captain Yibbi Jansen in the 54th minute.

Jansen swung her stick with a lot of force which resulted in Savita not being able to catch the ball that swerved over her right shoulder. Despite the pressure mounting on the blue jerseys, India had the perfect chance to regain their lead and Gurjit threw one towards the net. However, her shots have been lacking power throughout the match and the shot hit the post instead. Before anything eventful could happen, sixty minutes were over. Neither of the teams managed to score so the game went to a shoot-out that was easily won by the Dutch, who are inexperienced as compared to the Indians so the winners had good reason to celebrate.

Upcoming India vs England

FIH Pro League women's matches scheduled to take place between England and India had been postponed. They were to commence on April 2 and 3 in Bhubaneswar but the surging COVID cases and other injuries afflicting the English team have resulted in the matches getting cancelled instead. Although The Hockey India, England Hockey and FIH resisted the verdict, there were no time-slots available for a rematch.

Ultimately, the FIH and the two countries agreed upon letting India take the six points that characterised these matches. India would have slid to the top of the ranks if they won against the Dutch but the strength of the Dutch system is hard to match. Although the team is filled with young and inexperienced players, they outdid India, a team with strong defence usually.