India out of Hockey World Cup semifinal race after 1-3 loss to Netherlands
India’s hopes of reaching the semifinals of the FIH Hockey World Cup ended on Saturday after the hosts suffered a 1-3 defeat against defending Olympic champions the Netherlands.
India entered the match needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, but a strong first-half display was undone by three goals from the Netherlands in the final two quarters.
Duco Telgenkamp opened the scoring in the 41st minute before TJep Hoedemakers doubled the Dutch advantage in the 51st minute. India captain Harmanpreet Singh pulled one back from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, but Thijs van Dam restored the Netherlands’ two-goal cushion three minutes later.
The result leaves India without a point from the second round. Even a victory against Argentina in their final second-round match on Monday would take India only to three points, which will not be enough for a semifinal berth.
India will instead compete in the classification matches for fifth to eighth place after completing their second-round campaign.
The defeat also extended India’s wait for a first World Cup victory over the Netherlands. The two sides have met several times at the tournament, including the 1973 final, where the Dutch defeated India in a penalty shootout.
India dominate first half
India produced a disciplined performance during the opening two quarters and successfully restricted the Netherlands from creating clear scoring opportunities.
The Indian defence kept the Dutch attack under pressure, while the midfield prevented the Olympic champions from enjoying sustained possession.
India made early attempts to enter the Dutch circle, with Rajinder Singh and Hardik Singh involved in the attacking moves, but the Netherlands defence remained organised.
The Dutch earned their first penalty corner in the 13th minute, but Jip Janssen’s drag-flick was stopped by Manpreet Singh, who rushed out effectively.
The Netherlands won three successive penalty corners early in the second quarter but failed to convert any of them.
India also came close to scoring when Dilpreet Singh entered the circle in the 24th minute, only for Dutch goalkeeper Meijer Derk to deny him.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock before half-time.
Netherlands take control after break
India earned its first penalty corner in the 35th minute after a referral. Harmanpreet’s drag-flick struck the foot of the first Dutch runner, giving India another opportunity, but the skipper’s next effort went wide.
The Netherlands finally broke through in the 41st minute when a deflection off Telgenkamp’s stick sent the ball past Indian goalkeeper Mohit.
India continued to search for an equaliser and earned another penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Amit Rohidas’ attempt went wide. A review resulted in another penalty corner after the ball appeared to strike a Dutch defender’s foot, but Sanjay’s effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Hoedemakers then put the Netherlands 2-0 ahead in the 51st minute.
India responded almost immediately. Rajinder Singh earned a penalty corner and Harmanpreet converted with a powerful drag-flick to make it 1-2.
The goal briefly raised hopes of an Indian comeback, but the Netherlands quickly regained control.
A misplaced pass by experienced Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh allowed van Dam to get into a dangerous position, and the Dutch forward finished the move to make it 3-1 in the 55th minute.
India could not find another response as the Netherlands held on to secure a place in the semifinal race.
India will now face Argentina on Monday before moving into the fifth-to-eighth-place classification matches.
(With inputs from PTI)
