Breda (the Netherlands): India needed a draw to qualify for the final of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament and they did just that sharing two goals with hosts, the Netherlands here, Saturday. It is the second successive appearance in the summit clash round for the Men in Blue and now they are assured of at least winning the silver medal – an encore of their 2016 show.
India scored through Mandeep Singh (47th minute) from a penalty corner rebound but the goal was nullified by Thierry Brinkman (55th) five minutes from the hooter.
Australia finished on top of the standings despite losing 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina earlier in the day. India were second in the group with eight points (two wins, two draws and a loss against Australia).
India had a great chance to take the lead early on but SV Sunil failed to control the ball from a goalmouth melee. India kept up the pressure on the Dutch defence and earned a penalty corner in the third minute but Harmanpreet’s powerful high flick was saved by the Netherlands goalkeeper Sam Van der Ven.
Another penalty corner came India’s way in the 13th minute but they wasted the opportunity while going for a variation.
The second quarter witnessed a much even contest between the two sides till the 25th minute when the Netherlands secured two back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was brilliantly saved by Indian custodian PR Sreejesh.
A minute later, Netherlands were rewarded with another set piece when the ball hit Harmanpreet’s foot inside the ‘D’ but once again Sreejesh averted the danger.
The Dutchmen continued to press hard in the final few minutes of the second quarter but the Indian defence just did enough to avert any dangerous situation as both the teams went into the half-way break locked at 0-0.
Two minutes into the second half, the Netherlands had a great chance to take the lead but Sreejesh came to India’s rescue from an open goal position.
In the last quarter Mandeep’s rebound from a penalty corner after Harmanpreet’s effort was blocked by the Dutch defence helped India take the lead. Mandeep was opportunistic enough to pick up the ball and slam it home. However, the hosts drew parity through a field strike by Brinkman.
The Dutch, needing a win to qualify for the final, pressed hard and earned three consecutive penalty corners but the Indian defence stood tall to deny them and eke out the draw and qualify for tomorrow’s final.
It will be a repeat of 2016 Champions Trophy final between India and Australia, where the Kookaburras came out victorious in the shoot-out.