The Indian women's hockey team stumbled to a 1-3 shootout loss to Olympic champions Netherlands' second-string side with both sides locked at 1-1 in regulation time in the second match of their FIH Pro League tie in Bhubaneswar on Saturday (April 9).
After beating Netherlands 2-1 on Friday in a creditable performance, the Indians were outperformed by the Dutch. They started very brightly, winning two penalty corners as soon as the match started and Rajwinder Kaur found the target with a deflection from the second corner with just 34 seconds on the clock.
But after that, it was the second-string Dutch side who dictated the game with more ball possession and circle penetration. The Indians lacked direction and creativity and lost possession too often.
The Netherlands got as many as six penalty corners in quick succession. They scored from the sixth one with Jansen sending a high shot past Savita into the goal.
The Dutch equalised in the 53rd minute through captain Jansen Yibbi to take the match to the shootout. The Indian defence were rock solid till they conceded the equaliser in the fourth quarter, seven minutes from regulation time after incessant attacks from the Dutch, who were desperate to score.
Only Navneet Kaur scored for India in the shootout, with Rajwinder, Neha and Jyoti missing the target. For the Dutch, Barentsen Marente, Fortuin Kyra and Jansen hit the back of the net, while Morgenstern Fiona missed the target in the shootout.
India are without three key players in Lalremsiami, Salima Tete and Sharmila Devi from the historic fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics. Their win over the Netherlands was their first against Olympic champions in over a decade.
They now have one point from the match and remain second in the standings. The Netherlands also retained their place at the top of their group with 19 points from eight matches, while India have 16 points, also from eight matches.
The Indian team will travel to Belgium for their next match on June 11 and 12.
