FIH Hockey Pro League: Indian women’s team goes down 1-3 against the Netherlands

The Indian women’s hockey team on Sunday suffered a 1-3 defeat to the Netherlands, in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 match at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Yibbi Jansen (3′, 34′) and Fay van der Elst (21′) marked their names on the scoresheet, while Navneet Kaur (9′) scoring the lone goal for India, according to a press release from Hockey India.

Right from the start, India’s goalkeeper Savita was called into action, making consecutive saves. Subsequently, the Netherlands earned a penalty corner, and Yibbi Jansen, this season’s leading goalscorer, delivered a powerful shot down the middle to give the Netherlands an early lead.

Despite the Netherlands attempting to sit back and absorb pressure, an Indian counter-attack surprised them. Sunelita Toppo ventured down the right wing, connecting with Navneet Kaur at the top of the shooting circle, who turned around and unleashed a thunderous strike, leveling the score for India.

In the second quarter, the Netherlands came close to scoring as Pien Dicke dodged past the Indian defense, but her shot hit the post and deflected away. India had a goalscoring chance of their own as Sunelita found space, picking out Vandana Katariya one-on-one with Netherlands’ goalkeeper Josine Koning, who rushed out to diffuse the situation. Despite India’s efforts, Laura Nunnink initiated a counterattack, passing quickly to Fay van der Elst, who dove to deflect the ball past Savita, restoring the Netherlands’ lead. Both teams earned penalty corners, but the score remained 2-1 at halftime.

The Netherlands applied pressure in the third quarter, earning a penalty corner. Yibbi Jansen’s powerful drag flick beat Savita, extending the Netherlands’ lead to 3-1. They earned another penalty corner, but Savita thwarted the shot. While India pushed the Netherlands back, they struggled to connect the final pass.

The fourth quarter witnessed both teams creating chances. India earned a penalty corner, but the Netherlands’ defense held firm. Yibbi Jansen attempted to extend the lead with a reverse shot, hitting the post again. Despite the Netherlands controlling the game, a quick counter saw India earn a penalty corner, but Udita’s slap went just wide. The final period saw the Netherlands maintain possession, securing a 3-1 victory.