Patchy Indians need to regroup against Holland
Held to a draw by lower-ranked Ireland in their FIH World League Round 3 opener, the Indian men’s hockey team will have to regroup quickly and come up with something special against the Netherlands in their next Pool B match here on Saturday.
Ranked 11 in the world, India started favourites against Ireland on Thursday but it didn’t really show in their game as they laboured to a 4-4 draw. Defence has been India’s problem and it hurt them against the Irishmen. There was lack of co-ordination between the mid-fielders and the forwardline. They were also guilty of giving away the ball easily to their opponents.
India face an uphill task against the formidable Dutchmen, the current Olympic silver-medallists. India, undoubtedly, will start as the underdogs in Saturday’s encounter and can’t afford any slip-ups against the third ranked team in the world.
A loss to the Dutch can jeopardise their chance of sealing one of the three berths up for grabs in next year’s World Cup.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, will too be keen to post a win after playing out a 3-3 draw against New Zealand in their opening game and will be banking on home support.
Women salvage draw against Belgium
Meanwhile, the women’s team salvaged a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their second match of the competition on Friday. India were a goal down but Anupa Barla saved them the blushes with the equaliser in the 38th minute after Erica Coppey had given Belgium the lead in the fifth minute.
It was yet another listless performance from the Indian girls but it was a far better showing from the Ritu Rani-led side from their 0-7 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand in the opener.
It was expected to be a close encounter between the two sides with India ranked 12th in the world and Belgium a place behind. But the latter were by far the better side on display and completely dominated the game in the first half.
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