Breda 6N: Mixed results for India at Volva tournament

Breda (Netherlands), 21 July 2015:While Indian girls magnanimously drew fighting Germany 4-4, boys went down 1-3 against Belgium in the Volvo Invitational U-21 2015 tournament at Breda, The Netherlands.

BOYS: It was Indian men’s first defeat after winning the first two encounters on identical score of 3-0 against Germany and New Zealand. Today, after the goal-less first half, both the teams displayed their mettle in the second half and Belgium stunned India with two quick goals.

Both sides missed many chances in the first half to keep the scoreboard barren

The second half saw more aggression from both the Junior teams as the young talents desperately wanted to open their accounts. It was Belgium who managed to earn a penalty corner in the first few minutes, but again Indian custodian Suraj foiled the attack. In the 42nd minute, Belgium attacked again and Tom Degroote, seeing an opportunity, struck (1-0). However, their joy was short-lived as the Indians earned two back-to-back penalty corners and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh converted the second chance into a marvellous equaliser in 48th minute. After seven minutes (55th), the Belgians counter-attacked and earned another penalty corner, which Tanguy Zimmer successfully converted into their second goal and took the score to 2-1. Continuing their surprise attacks, the European team increased their lead in the 62nd minute, when Xavier Deruyttere scored the third goal for his team.

India will now clash against the host nation The Netherlands on 22nd July 2015 at 16:30 IST at Breda, The Netherlands.

GIRLS: After the narrow defeat against The Netherlands, India came back strongly today against Germany and extracted an exciting 4-4 draw.

It was Germany who drew its first blood in the tenth minute when Captain Elisia Grave scored the first goal for the team. Germany was seen dominating the Indian side without wasting another minute when a field goal was scored by Kira Horn to double the lead by 2-2 in the tenth minute itself. After the two early jolts, India went in full throttle. Renuka Yadav broke the shackles in the 14th minute through a field effort. India was now seen pressing hard with full strength and it was through the stick of Anupa Barla who smacked the ball hard in the 17th minute by utilizing the penalty corner to equalise the game to 2-2.

It was Jaspreet Kaur struck the goal post in the 41st minute to take the lead at 3-2. Germany stood successful and scored an equalizer through Tessa Margot Schubert in the 54th minute. India switched on its attacking mode and scored its fourth goal through the brilliant efforts of Lilima Minz in the 56th minute and advanced the lead to 4-3. Continuing with their quick moves, India got a penalty corner but failed to convert it before the polished defence of Germany. Germany did not disappoint its hope and came back into the game when Anne Winter scored the all important equalizer in the 68th minute through a penalty stroke (4-4).

Indian girls will now clash against China on 22nd July 2014 at 22.30 IST.