The Pioneer

PTI | Amstelveen

The Indian hockey team made a disappointing start to their campaign in the final leg of their European tour, losing 3-5 to The Netherlands in the first Test of the two-match series here.

The Dutch toyed with the Indians in the opening half, pumping in five goals at the Wagener Stadium here late last night before the visitors made a failed comeback bid with three goals.

For Holland, Timme Hoyng (second minute), Teun de Nooijer (fourth), Taeke Taekema (17th and 25th) and Rogier Hoffman (32nd minute) were the goal-getters, while Sardar Singh (40th) and Prabhjot Singh (60th and 69th minute) scored the consolations for India.

Holland began crisply and shook the Indian defence with two early strikes within the first four minutes of the match.

Floris Evers intercepted a short pass from Teun de Nooijer before setting up Hoyng, who dodged past India skipper Sandeep Singh and beat goalkeeper Adrian D’souza with a powerful volley to give Holland the lead in the second minute.