Hockey
FIH Pro League 2024-25 LIVE: India fall to The Dutch - HIGHLIGHTS
A tactical battle ensued in India's opening fixture of the European leg.
Harmanpreet Singh celebrates his goal against England in the Indian leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25. (Photo credit: Hockey India)
FIH Men's Pro League: The Indian men's hockey team kickstarted their European tour of the 2024-25 FIH Pro League against The Netherlands at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen on Saturday.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team have so far played eight matches in the 2024-25 FIH Pro League, winning five of those. With the winner of the six-month long competition set to book their spot at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, there is a lot at stake.
India, under the aegis of Craig Fulton, are currently placed third in the nine-team points table with 15 points. They are a solitary point adrift of England and Belgium, who are placed above them.
Against the Dutch, however, on Saturday, India was undone 1-2, and a brace from Van Dam meant that India had nothing to show from their game tonight.
Speaking to the broadcasters after the game, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh said that improvements were needed in defense.
"We did a great job. 1st quarter was very good. We have to be perfect every time. We have to improve a little bit on the defense structure and on the ball. Sometimes, I think we're forcing too much. We need to control the pace and we need to be good in defense every time."
The action as it happened...
Live Updates
- 7 Jun 2025 3:20 PM GMT
Q4: NED 1 - 1 IND
The Dutch have been very swift in the final third.
India having to stay alert in defense as the hosts have upped the ante in this final quarter.
11' left.
- 7 Jun 2025 3:19 PM GMT
Q4: NED 1 - 1 IND
The Dutch are now committing number to counter attacks.
India relying on lots of aerial balls and through balls while hoping that it is picked up by their forwards.
12' left in this final quarter.
- 7 Jun 2025 3:17 PM GMT
END OF THIRD QUARTER
The third quarter has come to a close and it was 15 minutes dominated by the hosts. The scorers weren't bothered during that phase but India have been pushed into a shell.
Can Craig Fulton inspire his boys in the break for a fight back?
IND 1-1 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 3:14 PM GMT
44' - India sitting deep
This entire quarter has seen India sit deep whenever they loose possession. Not too eager to high press like they did in the first quarter, are the men in blue.
IND 1-1 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 3:09 PM GMT
38' - Netherlands miss PC!
A foot inside the circle from Dilpreet Singh and Netherlands have earned their third penalty corner of the match.
Once again, the injection for the penalty corner is off and Jip Janssen has to make adjustments. The drag flicker does well, but it is not enough to trouble the rushing Amit Rohidas.
Rohidas just deflects it away nonchalantly and carries on with his job.
IND 1-1 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 3:00 PM GMT
Back for the second half
We are back LIVE for the second half. India move from right to left of the screen this time around and they start with the possession.
IND 1-1 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:59 PM GMT
"We need more possession in their half"
"Pretty fair, I thought we did well on the goal. We gave away a soft goal. I think we need more possession in their half," quips Indian coach Craig Fulton.
- 7 Jun 2025 2:52 PM GMT
HALF TIME!
Manpreet Singh with a strong tackle just outside the circle and it also brings an end to the first half.
India took the lead via a Harmanpreet Singh drag flick in the 20th minute of the match, before Netherlands hit back five minutes later with a field goal.
Harmanpreet's joy of scoring did not last long as it was his mistake that led to the equaliser from the hosts.
Both teams level at the end of the first two quarters. A lot to play for when we return after a short break.
IND 1-1 NED
