Netherland's quick fire goals in first half condemn India to defeat in opening game

India lost 2-3 to Netherlands in their opening fixture

India started off its campaign in the 2013 Junior Hockey World Cup with a 2-3 loss against the Netherlands. The Orange outfit took an unassailable 3-1 lead at the end of half time and despite a come back early in the second half by the Indians, Netherlands held on to their lead to win their opening Group C match 3-2.

Netherlands took the lead just three minutes into the game when a quick attack down the left side led to Milan van Baal finishing off the move in style. India responded in the 12th minute from a penalty corner when Gurjinder Singh hit a deflected shot into the left hand corner of the Netherlands goal. The game continued to be dominated by the Dutch who broke up India’s attacks and repeatedly created attacks from the right flank.

A patient build up led to Netherlands’ second goal when a shot rebounded off India’s goal keeper and was finished off by Rijkers. van Baal came back onto the field after nursing an injury to his nose and scored the third goal for the Dutch soon after just 30 minutes into the game.

In the second half, India started brightly and they were rewarded with a goal thanks to a brilliant solo effort by Akashdeep in the 42nd minute of the game. Akashdeep skipped past three defenders and the goalkeeper and hit the board from an acute angle.

However, this proved to be the last meaningful action of the game as the Netherlands kept things tight in defence, ensuring that there weren’t many chances for the hosts to draw level.

India then went down to nine men in the last nine minutes after receiving a green and a yellow card in succession. Netherlands continued to frustrate the Indian attack and it showed as India received another yellow in the final minute.

The Dutch eventually saw the game out to start their tournament with a win.

India next play Canada on December 10.