An inconsistent India lost 1-3 to the Netherlands to slump to their second defeat in the tournament and finish at the bottom of Pool B at the Hockey World league (HWl) Final here on Monday.
Netherlands took the lead in the 36th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Mink van der Weerden before Mirco Pruijser (43rd) and Roel Bovendeert (54th) scored two field goals. India’s lone goal came through Chinglensana Singh in the 47th minute.
The loss meant India finished at the bottom of Pool B with just one point from three matches and will now take on Pool A toppers in the quarterfinals, starting Wednesday.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, have topped Pool B with seven points out of two wins and a draw and will play the bottom placed team of Pool A.
By virtue of this win, the Netherlands have also managed to avenge their 2-3 loss against India during the pool matches of Champions Trophy in Bhubaneshwar last year.
The Indians had just 36 per cent ball possession as against their rivals’ 64. The hosts managed just eight shots at the goal while Netherlands had 18 to their credit.
India made a couple of forays into the opposition circle in the first quarter but the strikers failed to make most of the opportunities.
Minutes after the restart in second half, Netherlands earned their first penalty corner, courtesy a dangerous play by Birendra lakra and from the resultant chance Mink van der Weerden scored with a powerful low flick to the right of Indian custodian Sreejesh.
Indian defence was to be blamed for the second goal as they left Pruisjer unmarked inside the box and the striker just had to slap van der Weerden’s cross past Sreejesh to make the scoreline 2-0 in the Dutchmen’s favour.
India managed to pull one back four minutes later when Chinglensana scored from the hosts’ first penalty corner with a rebound shot after Rupinder Pal Singh’s initial flick was saved by the Dutch keeper.
The goal seemed to have failed to inspire the Indians as they conceded another goal six minutes from the hooter when Bovendeert got plenty of space inside the box to whack the ball inside the Indian goal after he was set up a brilliant play by Floris van der linden who dribbled past three defenders to set it up for his teammate.
Argentina shock Germany
World number five Argentina stunned Olympic champions Germany 3-1 to finish second in Pool B. Drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat (17th and 50th minutes) struck twice from penalty corners to hand Argentina their second win in the tournament. Germany's goal came from Niklas Wellen in 26th minute.
Argentina, finished second in Pool B ahead of Germany in third position.