PCG 2009: Netherlands wins the heart & Gold Cup

Netherlands wins the heart – and the Punjab Gold Cup as well

In an electrifying atmosphere that was omnipresent for the whole seventh minutes the final was played, both India and Netherlands played an enchanting game. In the end, utilizing the chances it created, the Dutch laid their hands on the Cup, with a meritful 2-1 win.

Though it was India that took the lead through a stroke conversion by local hero Sandeep Singh, the Dutch obtained two goals, one three minutes after the Sandeep’s goal and 20 minutes later through an immaculate conversion of their last penalty corner.

The Player of the Tournament Joren Hertzberger, fittingly, scored the Cup winner in the 66th minute.

India did get a chance to equalize when they got another penalty corner subsequent to Hertzberger’s blitzkrieg, but Sandeep’s shot, as happened four times earlier, did not get past the goalie Jaap Stockmann.

Coach Harendera was happy the way his boys played. “I assured a surprise, and it was here. We played 5-3-2-1 formation after a long time, it worked. Honestly speaking, everybody expected a whitewash but me and my team was confident of good show which indeed it was”.

Both teams certainly played a good hockey. Even the usual miss-passes and depositing the ball at the circle for no purposes were minimum. Indian forwards were purposeful, couple of crosses from wingers were wonderful, except that interception at the circle could have been bit more accurate.

Baljit Singh, the goalkeeper, was as usual the man possessed. He could manage a couple of penalty corners to walk for the lemon time without noting against the team on the lemon time.

Netherlands first goal was scored by Robbert Kemperman.

The crowd at Chandigarh could witness a distinct brand of discipline hockey from the Dutch, who did not buckle under any pressure. Though the players in tandem agreed the crowd factor was in favour of the hosts, they could keep up the tempo. Only three green cards were issued, all those coming in the last 10 minutes, which perhaps speak about the way the game was played.

Political bigwigs have declared the event will be an annual affair, and it is a good news for India.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand surprised Germany with a 70 minute goal to walk away with the bronze. Both teams tied at 2-2 till then