FIH Pro League: PR Sreejesh Stars as India Beat Netherlands in Penalty Shoot-out – News18

Seasoned goalie PR Sreejesh was the star within the shootout noticed India pulled off an exhilarating 4-2 win in opposition to defending champions the Netherlands of their second match of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 on the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Sreejesh made two beautiful saves within the shootout, whereas Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Shamsher Singh transformed their probabilities to assist India bag a bonus level.

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Hardik Singh (13′) and Harmanpreet Singh (58′) scored a aim every for India, whereas Jip Janssen (30′) and Koen Bijen (39′) acquired on the scoresheet for the Dutch in what was an exhilarating 2-2 attract regulation time.

The World No. 1 workforce was fast to get off the blocks and made attacking runs inside India’s circle within the opening minutes of the sport. They took numerous pictures on course, however Indian goalie Krishan B Pathak stood tall to disclaim the Dutch from taking the early lead.

India, however, took a while to settle in. Their first actual probability got here within the twelfth minute, after they gained back-to-back penalty corners, however couldn’t capitalise on it.

In the next minute, India broke the impasse by way of Hardik from an open play. The midfielder made a shocking run down the correct flank earlier than taking part in it to Sukhjeet, who handed it again to Hardik. Hardik then skilfully slotted the ball into the online from an acute angle, giving India a 1-0 lead on the finish of the opening quarter.

India began the second quarter brightly and loved the ball possession, however couldn’t create a lot of a hazard. They but once more earned back-to-back penalty corners however the Dutch denied the hosts from doubling the lead.

The guests earned their first penalty nook within the twenty fifth minute however missed out on changing it. However, they continued with the identical attacking intent and had been rewarded with one more penalty nook within the dying seconds of the primary half. Janssen made no mistake as he hammered the ball into the underside nook, making it 1-1 on the half-time.

It was a cagey begin to the second half, with each groups cautiously controlling the ball within the midfield and never giving freely a lot area. However, the latter section of the third quarter noticed the Netherlands drawing a tender penalty nook. Pathak saved Jasper Brinkman’s drag-flick, however Bijen was on the proper place, on the proper time, to fit the ball house on the rebound, placing the Dutch 2-1 within the thirty ninth minute.

With lower than 30 seconds to go within the third quarter, the Netherlands had one more penalty nook, however India survived the hazard.

An exhilarating begin to the ultimate quarter noticed each groups creating goalscoring alternatives. While the Dutch missed out on changing their penalty corners, India stored lacking the goal within the hanging circle.

India mounted relentless strain on the Dutch and had been offered with back-to-back penalty corners within the fifty fifth minute, however couldn’t avail the alternatives.

With lower than three minutes to go for the ultimate hooter, India eliminated their goalkeeper to place an additional outfield participant. They then took a video referral for a deliberate push from the Dutch defender and had been rewarded with a penalty nook. Harmanpreet, taking part in his 2 hundredth match, stepped up and slotted the ball house to convey issues again on degree phrases.

Sreejesh, who was referred to as again into the sphere, made some scintillating saves within the dying seconds because the Dutch gave their all, however couldn’t discover a aim, ending the regulation time in a 2-2 stalemate.

India will tackle Australia of their third match on Thursday, fifteenth February.