Spirited India broke Netherlands 33-years medal jinx in HWL final

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.

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.