IANS/Bhubaneswar, India
India registered their first victory in the men’s hockey Champions Trophy yesterday, beating World Cup silver medallists the Netherlands 3-2 in the final league fixture of Pool B at the Kalinga Stadium here.
India started the match with a point to prove, having been beaten in the first two matches.
But the hosts couldn’t score in the first quarter with Akashdeep Singh’s attempt getting blocked by the opponent goalie.
The Netherlands were more aggressive in the second quarter and India’s goalkeeper Shreejesh Parattu had to be alert to prevent India from conceding.
India received two penalty corners in the 24th minute but couldn’t capitalise. On the other hand, they got a close shave when Mirco Pruijser’s shot, of a penalty corner, rebounded off the goal post.
India went ahead through Sunil Somwarpet in the 33th minute only for Mink Weerden to convert a penalty corner to equalise in the 36th minute.
India restored their lead at the beginning of the last quarter through Manpreet Singh in the 46th minute, and two minutes later Rupinder Singh scored from a penalty corner to put India in control.
The Netherlands increased pressure, and earned two successive penalty corners to reduce the margin when Mink Weerden scored again but India held on to win.
Indian finished the group engagements with 3 points from three matches while the Netherlands topped the group with 6 points from as many matches.
India coach Roelant Oltmans said: “We played well in the game after two defeats. We are looking forward to face Belgium in the quarters. Our boys are ready and will play with full spirit.”
England and Belgium remained unbeaten in the hockey Champions Trophy after drawing 1-1 in their last pool match here yesterday. The draw helped England become Pool A winners with 7 points from three matches, two more than second-placed Belgium.
Belgium took the lead early on when forward Amaury Keusters unleashed a powerful backhand shot to beat goalkeeper George Pinner in the ninth minute.
But from then on, England dominated the proceedings and created better chances. Striker Ashley Jackson then hit the post from a penalty corner and England received a penalty stroke from the resultant melee. But Iain Lewers wasted the golden opportunity to equalise, leaving Belgium ahead 1-0 at the break.
England upped the ante and received a series of penalty corners in the third quarter but neither captain Barry Middleton nor Jackson were able to find the target. Instead, England were given a scare when just before the third quarter break, a Keusters strike hit the crossbar.
Lewers eventually equalised for England with 13 minutes remaining when his powerful backhand stroke found the bottom of the goal. Belgium fought hard to get a second goal but the result remained tied.
Argentina ended their Pool B campaign with six points following a 3-0 win over Germany in the opening game of day three of the hockey Champions Trophy here yesterday.
After a chanceless first quarter, Argentina upped the ante in the second. Captain Matias Paredes was at the centre of everything, and he opened the scoring with a mid-circle smash.
German goalkeeper Felix Reuss brought about a brilliant save after a stining shot from Argentine Gonzalo Peillat. But Argentine Joaquin Menini, in fine form, clipped into the top corner.
Paredes lay on a perfect back-door pass for Menini to race clear and to make it 2-0.
Germany had a couple of better openings in the third quarter of this tight battle, with Florian Fuchs firing across the face of goal. Juan Vivaldi made some tidy saves while the Argentine defence foiled a penalty corner.
Christopher Wesley shot a sharp, close-range effort wide early in the fourth quarter and then miscued a shot to continue Germany’s frustrations.
The Germans were caught again from a quick free on 49 minutes which Ignacio Ortiz popped past Reuss for the 3-0 score.
From there, the European side had their moments but could not get one back. They ended the group on three points courtesy their 1-0 win over India Saturday.