The Indians scored through Neha (11th minute) and Sonika (28th minute), both from penalty corners, while the Dutch pulled one back through Jansen Yibbi (40th minute).
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Indian women’s hockey team secured a historic 2-1 win over the mighty Netherlands to move to second spot in the FIH Pro League points table. The Indians scored through Neha (11th minute) and Sonika (28th minute), both from penalty corners, to lead by two goals at half time. After the change of ends, the Olympic champions pulled one back from a penalty stroke through Jansen Yibbi in the 40th minute. This was India’s fourth win in the FIH Pro League.
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A hard-fought win on an action-packed night at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on 8th April 2022!
?? 2:1 ??#IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #HockeyAtItsBest #FIHProleague @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @oranjehockey pic.twitter.com/4WnE2xrYOr
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) April 8, 2022
Although the Dutch came into the tournament with a second-string side, it was a credible performance from the home side as they were also without key players. Lalremsiami, Salima Tete and Sharmila Devi, who were part of India’s historic fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics. Indian players have on an average played 93 matches while the Dutch team has played 5.4 on an average.
The Dutch started the match on the driving seat, winning the first PC inside the opening five minutes. But india goalkeeper Savita comes up with a decent save to thwart away the early danger. The Dutch went on to win two more PC’s but India defended pretty well.
And then, against the run of play, India put their nose in front with their first real attack of the game. It came off a PC, which was initially kept out but Navneet played a nice pass for Neha to deflect into the goal.
Although the Dutch had the majority of ball possession India was creating good chances at the other end. Early in the second quarter, Rajwinder missed a golden opportunity to double the lead with only the goalkeeper to beat as she sent her shot wide.
Two minutes from half-time, India doubled their lead from another PC. A goalmouth scramble after a PC and Sonika was on hand to maintain her composure and slot home. Ten minutes into the second half, Netherlands got a PC which resulted in a penalty stroke after the ball hit Monika’s body in front of goal. Yibbi stepped up and converted the penalty stroke to halve the deficit.
Netherlands continued to push hard for the equaliser but the Indian defence stood firm to secure an impressive win and garner full three points. The Dutch women finished the game with 30 circle penetrations and seven PC’s as compared to India’s 12 circle penetrations, five shots on goal and three set pieces. The win helped India to 15 points from seven games, while the Dutch remained at the top of the table with 17 points.
