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Even though the result was not to India’s liking, the manner in which the team played on Saturday should make their supporters proud.
India need a big win over Argentina now. (Picture Credit: Hockey India/FIH)
India’s performance in the men’s hockey World Cup has not been able to match their soaring ambitions, what with the promising passage to the historic Wagener Stadium being prepared by two successive Olympic bronze medals.
Harmanpreet Singh’s Indian team has been left ruing some costly mistakes after Saturday’s 1-3 loss to reigning Olympic champions The Netherlands in the second stage of the round-robin league, but the display of the Indian team in this blistering encounter ought to be a source of pride for the discerning hockey fan.
There was no disgrace in this loss. The manner in which the Indian team matched the rampant Dutch opponents, raid for raid and stout defence for stout defence, should warm the cockles of their hearts.
The opponents had three World Cup title triumphs to their credit, in addition to the gold medal to show for their effort at the Paris Olympics. Besides the vociferous home support, Netherlands are one of contemporary hockey’s strongest nations.
Turning up at any venue across the world, the Dutch hockey teams play as if they own the arena. And this indeed was their home turf, so the pressure on the Indians was immense even before they went out to play the first outing. That India had suffered a 2-4 loss to England in the preliminary round and advanced to the second stage was another negative playing on the minds of the Indian players. Playing the crucial match despite a side-strain, captain Harmanpreet was carrying more burden than being his team’s main goal scorer.
This second stage of the round-robin league has replaced the quarter-finals in this World Cup. The top two teams from the two pools will advance to the semi-finals, while the remaining four teams will compete for the fifth to eighth spots.
Without a single point to their credit after losses to England (in the preliminary round) and The Netherlands (in the second stage), India are staring at being relegated to playing for the fifth to eighth positions, but there is still a glimmer of hope.
After Argentina defeated England 3-1 on Saturday evening, India are again breathing. Another England defeat against The Netherlands and India’s win over Argentina on Monday could leave the three teams tied on three points each and their goal difference will come into play. All this could amount to day-dreaming if one remembers that the Argentines pumped eight goals into India in a recent encounter.
Matching multiple World Cup winners The Netherlands in pace is never a comfortable task. That the Indian team matched their pace throughout the contest, kept their own defensive structure and even managed to create many goal-scoring opportunities at the other end should bring a smile to the discerning Indian fan.
This was not an Indian side sitting back near the baseline and crowding their circle to keep the rivals at bay. The scorching pace of the encounter kept them on their toes, and the ball frequently went from one end to the other. India’s match-fitness was severely tested, and they did not fail this test.
Even though the result was not to India’s liking, the manner in which the team played on Saturday should make their supporters proud. Two defensive errors undid all the hard work. Gleefully, the Dutch capitalised on the Indian lapses.
A defensive lapse inside the circle gave Netherlands the first goal in the 41st minute. Unmarked Tijmen Reyenga used the time and space to send a forward pass on which Duco Telgenkamp applied a reverse flick to leave goalkeeper Suraj Karkera gasping.
The Dutch increased the lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute when Koen Bijen’s diagonal ball into the circle was deflected in by Tjep Hoedemakers.
Harmanpreet brought India back into the contest with a stinging penalty corner drag-flick that sounded the board. With India going all out for an equaliser came a counter-attack in the 55th minute, when Manpreet Singh lost the ball in the midfield and saw three Dutch strikers move into the circle, where the goalkeeper found himself in a hopeless situation.
Thijs van Dam easily flicked into the open goal, although Manpreet unsuccessfully made a last-gasp effort to knock the ball away from the goalmouth.
(The Writer is reporting from his 10th Senior Men’s Hockey World Cup)
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18India’s men’s hockey team has been eliminated from the Hockey World Cup semifinal race after their 1-3 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday.
Ask News18August 23, 2026, 08:10 IST
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