HWL: Netherlands ends India's unbeaten streak with 3-1 win

Thierry Brinkman, Sander Baart and Mirco Pruijser helped the Netherlands thrash India 3-1 in the high voltage game here at the Hero Hockey World League Semi Final on Tuesday.

Though Brinkman (2'), Baart (12') and Pruijser (24') starred for Netherlands, while Akashdeep Singh (28') was the lone scorer for India.

India and Netherlands, who were vying for the top spot in Pool B, clash promised to be feisty and the teams did not disappoint, as they kept the crowd entertained hooter-to-hooter with top-quality hockey.

The first 15 minutes saw Indian goalkeeper Akash Chikte put under the pump right from the start with Dutch strikers keeping him busy. He was later taken by surprise when Dutch defender dispossessed Sardar Singh to set up Brinkman to score so early in the game.

But the next few minutes saw Indian defence live up to the task of keeping the ever-dangerous Billy Bakker under check. However Surender Kumar's block of a powerful strike by Bakker unfortunately fouled which resulted in the Dutch winning their first PC.

Sander Baart, in his first PC attempt of the tournament, fired low on the right to double. The Netherlands lead to 2-0 in the 12th minute putting India under pressure.

With a little over three minutes for the first hooter, a quick-thinking SV Sunil successfully appealed for a PC. However, the opportunity could not be utilised with Harmanpreet Singh's flick blocked away by the first runner.

Chikte once again enthralled Indian supporters with an incredible save to stop a fantastic strike by Bakker in the 14th minute of the match. Seconds before the first hooter, Mink van der Weerden was denied two back-to-back attempts at PC.

With both teams in top gear, the second quarter saw two spectacular goals.

Sander Baart's counter attack helped set up Mirco Pruijser to score third goal of the match in the 24th minute for the Dutch. But four minutes later, Akashdeep Singh who was denied minutes before when he took a reverse hit on goal, brought India back into the game.

It was a brilliant pass by SV Sunil, which was well-received by Singh who improvised it with a punch on the ball in between his legs making it one of the best goals of the tournament so far.

With India narrowing the gap to 1-3, the nail-biting action continued in the third quarter.

Though the Dutch dominated with ball possession, Indian defenders were spot on to keep them from making successful penetrations.

In the final 15 minutes, India made brave forays into the striking circle and one such attempt saw India win their second PC of the match when Jorrit Croon miss-timed his tackle against Manpreet Singh resulting his team conceding their second PC.

The Dutch earned their fourth PC of the match by Baart's flick. In the 56th minute, when Harjeet Singh set up Akashdeep for a goal, it was saved by the Dutch keeper but India was awarded PC for dangerous play in the striking circle.

But Harmanpreet's third attempt was padded away by Sam van der Ven ending India's campaign against the Dutch 1-3.

India will now play the quarterfinals match on June 22.

-ANI