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| NED 3-4 IND Rupinder Pal slots home from the penalty spot to restore |
RAIPUR: A spirited India broke their 33-year-old
medal jinx in a major international tournament as they came back from
two goals down to stun defending champions Netherlands in the shoot-out
after both the teams were tied 5 -5 at regulation time in a thrilling
bronze medal play-off match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here
today.
India last won a medal in an international tournament way back in
1982 when they beat Pakistan 5-4 in the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.
In the shoot-out, the Indians prevailed over the Dutch 3-2 at the
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium and the win avenged India’s 1-3 defeat
against the Netherlands in the pool stages of the tournament here.
After starting the match on a slow note, India produced a fine show
in the last two quarters to beat the world number two side with their
relentless attacks in the second half.
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| Niek van der Schoot scored the 2nd goal against India on 25th minute |
Netherlands were quick to take a 2-0 lead in the first half, courtesy
some sloppy defending from the Indians when Mirco Pruisjer (9th minute)
and Niek van der Schoot (25th) scored two field goals to silence the
capacity crowd.
It was a high intensity match which produced as many as six goals in
the last 10 minutes, three each to India and Netherlands.
