In the fourth build-up game of the Europe Tour played in Netherlands, India went down fighting 2-4 to The Netherlands yesterday. The fifth and the last build up game will be played on the 19th April 2014.
The Netherlands started with the attacking mode from the very beginning of the match itself and shocked the visitors as Mirco Pruyser successfully sliced in a goal as early as in the 9th minute of the game, which was followed by Glenn Schuurman and Tristan Algera in the 15th and the 28th minutes respectively, to take the lead with 3-0 on board till the half time as India failed to open the account.
It was only in the second half when India opened their account tried putting up a challenge against The Netherlands when SK Uthappa and Captain Sardar Singh sneaked in a goal each in the 37th and the 40th minute respectively and reduce the margin to 3-2.
As the Indian squad struggled to match up with the score till the very end of the game, it was Netherlands' Billy Baker who stroked in the final goal of the match in the 60th minute and wrapped the game with a 4-2 on the board.
The Indian men had earlier thrashed leiden Hockey Club 7-0 in the first build-up game at Oegstgeest before playing out a 3-3 draw with HGC Hockey Club in the next game of the tour, organised as preparation for the FIH men's World Cup.
The Sardar Singh-led side slumped to its first defeat in the tour — 1-2 against Belgium — in their next game.
Results
Netherlands: 4 (Mirco Pruyser (9 min), Glenn Schuurman (15 min), Tristan Algera (28 min) and Billy Baker (60 min) Vs. India: 2 (SK Uthappa (37 min) and Sardar 40 minute).