~Hardik Singh (13′) and Captain Harmanpreet Singh (58′) scored a objective every in regulation time, whereas PR Sreejesh made beautiful saves within the shootout~
Bhubaneswar, eleventh February 2024: Ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics within the shootout noticed India pull off an exhilarating 4-2 shootout win in opposition to the defending Champions the Netherlands of their second match of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023/24 on the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Sreejesh made two beautiful saves within the shootout, whereas Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Shamsher Singh transformed their possibilities to assist India bag a bonus level.
Hardik Singh (13′) and Harmanpreet Singh (58′) scored a objective every for India, whereas Jip Janssen (30′) and Koen Bijen (39′) acquired on the scoresheet for the Dutch in what was an exhilarating 2-2 attract regulation time.
The World No. 1 staff was fast to get off the blocks and made attacking runs inside India’s circle within the opening minutes of the sport. They took numerous photographs on course, however Indian goalie Krishan B Pathak stood tall to disclaim the Dutch from taking the early lead.
India, then again, took a while to settle in. Their first actual probability got here within the twelfth minute, after they gained back-to-back penalty corners, however couldn’t capitalise on it.
Within the following minute, India broke the impasse by way of Hardik from an open play. The midfielder made a surprising run down the correct flank earlier than enjoying it to Sukhjeet, who handed it again to Hardik. Hardik then skilfully slotted the ball into the web from an acute angle, giving India a 1-0 lead on the finish of the opening quarter.
India began the second quarter brightly and loved the ball possession, however couldn’t create a lot of a hazard. They but once more earned back-to-back penalty corners however the Dutch denied the hosts from doubling the lead.
The guests earned their first penalty nook within the twenty fifth minute however missed out on changing it. Nevertheless, they continued with the identical attacking intent and have been rewarded with one more penalty nook within the dying seconds of the primary half. Janssen made no mistake as he hammered the ball into the underside nook, making it 1-1 on the half-time.
It was a cagey begin to the second half, with each groups cautiously controlling the ball within the midfield and never gifting away a lot house. Nevertheless, the latter part of the third quarter noticed the Netherlands drawing a comfortable penalty nook. Pathak saved Jasper Brinkman’s drag-flick, however Bijen was on the proper place, on the proper time, to fit the ball house on the rebound, placing the Dutch 2-1 within the thirty ninth minute.
With lower than 30 seconds to go within the third quarter, the Netherlands had one more penalty nook, however India survived the hazard.
An exhilarating begin to the ultimate quarter noticed each groups creating goalscoring alternatives. Whereas the Dutch missed out on changing their penalty corners, India saved lacking the goal within the hanging circle.
India mounted relentless strain on the Dutch and have been offered with back-to-back penalty corners within the fifty fifth minute, however couldn’t avail the alternatives.
With lower than three minutes to go for the ultimate hooter, India eliminated their goalkeeper to place an additional outfield participant. They then took a video referral for a deliberate push from the Dutch defender and have been rewarded with a penalty nook. Harmanpreet, enjoying his two hundredth match, stepped up and slotted the ball house to convey issues again on stage phrases.
Sreejesh, who was known as again into the sphere, made some scintillating saves within the dying seconds because the Dutch gave their all, however couldn’t discover a objective, ending the regulation time in a 2-2 stalemate.
India will tackle Australia of their third match on Thursday, fifteenth February at 1930 hrs IST.
All matches of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023/24 will likely be streamed on JioCinema, moreover, all India matches will likely be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.
