Times Of India

AMSTEELVEN: The Indian hockey team ended its European tour on a positive note by rallying to hold European champions The Netherlands to a 3-3 draw in the second and final Test at the Wagener Stadium.

India, trailing 1-2 at half-time, made a gallant turnaround to deny the the world number four Dutch their second straight win ahead of the Euro-Nations Cup starting on next Saturday.

The goal scorers for India were Gurvinder Chandi (4th) and captain Sandeep Singh (59th and 68th), while Rogier Hofman (14th), Teun de Nooijer (16th) and Ronald Brouwer (39th minute) netted for Holland.

India began aggressively and earned their first penalty corner when Rajpal Singh was obstructed by Robert van der Horst.

Gurvinder Chandi slotted home in the fourth minute from a rebound offered by Dutch goalkeeper Jaap Stockmann.

The Dutch swung back with crafty midfield maneuvers from Laurence Docherty and Geert-Jan Derikx and attacks by Jeroen Hertzberger and Rob Reckers.

They were awarded a penalty corner when Arjun Halappa carried the ball in the eighth minute, but luckily for India, Adrian D’souza warded off Taeke Taekema’s effort diving to his right.

However, the Dutch found the equaliser six minutes later cashing in on errors by Prabodh Tirkey and Bimal Lakra. Rogier Hofman took hold of a Timme Hoyng set up to beat D’souza from the edge of the circle.

Two minutes later Holland break into the lead with 33-year-old Teun de Nooijer scoring in his inimitable style.

India replied soon after with two attacks from Shivendra Singh and Tushar Khandker, the first of which won them a penalty corner. However Halappa’s push was well saved by Stockmann.

After the half time break, Holland increased their tally to 3-1 in the 39th minute when Ronald Brouwer, set up by Roderick Weusthof, found the target.

India found their flair and rhythm thereafter building regular sorties into the Dutch defence.

Gurbaj Singh and Sardar Singh stepped up the midfield pace and with swift interchange among forwards Birendra Lakra, Rajpal and Tushar Khandker, India got a penalty corner in the 59th minute which, Sandeep Singh flicked home to reduce the margin.

India then won a penalty corner in the 68th minute which Sandeep sent past Stockmann to give India a well deserved 3-3 draw.

The team will leave for India today and arrive tomorrow morning.