~Felice Albers scored the profitable objective for the Netherlands~
Rourkela, 14th February 2024: The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Workforce misplaced their second match of the Rourkela leg within the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023/24 towards the Netherlands 0-1. Felice Albers (27’ minute) scored the match’s sole objective to win the encounter for the Netherlands.
The primary quarter started with each groups taking part in aggressively. Netherlands’ first penalty nook got here as early because the 2nd minute. Nevertheless, Yibbi Jansen’s drag flick went vast. India’s robust and decided defence restricted the Netherlands which persistently burst ahead in pursuit of a objective. Within the 14th minute, the Netherlands threatened once more with their finest probability of the match throughout a penalty nook, however an acrobatic save from India’s Captain and goalkeeper, Savita, ensured a goalless first quarter.
India remained resilient within the second quarter, keeping off quite a few offensive waves from the Netherlands. Although India confirmed promise within the midfield, they struggled to penetrate the Dutch circle incessantly.
India finally gave in to the stress when the Netherlands broke the impasse within the twenty seventh minute. Elzemiek Zandee’s highly effective strike was booted away by Savita however Felice Albers (27’) was fast to capitalise on the rebound and delivered a composed end to provide the Netherlands the lead minutes earlier than halftime.
Whereas the stress from the Netherlands was relentless within the third quarter, India’s offence regarded stronger, they usually placed on their finest efficiency of the match thus far. Early within the third quarter, Lalremsiami performed a lightning fast ball to Salima Tete from the left flank, however the move deflected off her foot to nullify the hassle. Quickly after, the Netherlands practically doubled their lead, courtesy of Joosje Burg however a tenacious Savita pulled off one more save to take care of the scoreline 0-1. Within the thirty sixth minute, Mumtaz Khan took a thunderous strike on objective, however the try went vast. India took 5 consecutive penalty corners across the 40-minute mark, however the equaliser continued to evade them.
Savita discovered herself receiving a yellow card when the ball met her foot outdoors the stipulated space because the Netherlands engaged in a fast breakaway from an extended ball. Within the ensuing minutes, goalkeeper Bichu Devi did exceptionally to disclaim Netherlands.
An intense fourth quarter unfolded with India desperately in search of the equaliser. India broke away on a counterattack, as Neha Goyal displayed distinctive talent earlier than she discovered Lalremsiami on the appropriate flank however Netherlands’ defence managed to extinguish the menace. Within the closing minutes of the match, the Netherlands earned a sequence of penalty corners, however Savita remained steadfast in entrance of the objective. India had been unable to interrupt previous the high-press deployed by the Dutch unit and regardless of their valiant effort, the Netherlands walked away with a 1-0 victory.
The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Workforce will subsequent tackle Australia at 1930hrs IST on seventeenth February.
All matches of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023/24 shall be streamed on JioCinema, moreover, all India matches shall be telecast on Sports18 – Khel.
