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 2:47 PM GMT
25' - NETHERLANDS SCOREEEE!
A massive, massive defensive slip up from captain Harmanpreet Singh and India pay the price.
Harmanpreet tries to dribble his way through just outside the shooting circle, but loses his control on the ball. Steijn van Heijingen steals the ball right under Harmanpreet's nose and passes it into the circle.
There is no defender marking Thijs van Dam inside the circle and he drives the ball into the far right corner.
Harmanpreet asks for a review, alleging a back stick from Heijingen during the steal. Replays show no conclusive evidence. India lose a review as well as Netherlands equalise
IND 1-1 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:44 PM GMT
24' - Netherlands miss back-to-back PCs!
A error at the baseline with a stick challenge from India and Netherlands have earned their first penalty corner of the match.
Jip Janssen steps up to take it, but Karkera somehow manages to keep it out after a big chaos in front of the goal. The umpire signals another PC for Netherlands for a foul during that chaos.
The PC injection isn't collected cleanly the second time around as the hosts fluff two great chances to score.
IND 1-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:36 PM GMT
20' - HARMANPREET SCORESSS!
Nothing new here. It's the usual. India get a penalty corner, thanks to a brash tackle inside the shooting circle from Netherlands, and they convert.
Who scored you ask? Isn't it always the skipper Harmanpreet Singh?
A good injection from Hardik, on his 150th appearance, to the first battery. Harmanpreet makes it count with a stellar drag flick. India break the deadlock.
IND 1-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:32 PM GMT
16' - SAVE, KARKERA!
A brilliant start from the Netherlands as the split the Indian defence right down the centre. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera has just come in to replace Krishan Phatak for the second half and he is called into action straight away.
Karkera stays calm at this post and blocks the shot with his legs to avert the danger for India.
First real chance of the match for the Netherlands. Encouraging signs for the hosts early in the second quarter.
IND 0-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:30 PM GMT
END OF FIRST QUARTER!
A sizeable crowd present at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen as the first quarter comes to an end. Nothing to write home in the first 15 minutes of play as the deadlock remains.
India did have the best chance of the evening so far, but a good save from Visser ensured that there is no breakthrough for the visitors.
IND 0-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:26 PM GMT
13' - A sedate quarter
A rather calm first quarter so far. Both teams happy to build from the back and there has been no real danger, apart from the chance Dilpreet had a few minutes ago.
Quite a bit of mid-field turnovers as the teams look extremely tentative in their approach.
IND 0-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:22 PM GMT
8' - SAVE, NETHERLANDS!
A major defensive blunder from Netherlands as India high press nearly into the shooting circle and steal the ball from the lone defender trying to push forward.
The ball falls to Dilpreet Singh, who takes a shy at the goal but it is brilliantly saved by a rushing Maurits Visser.
That could very nearly have been the opening goal of the match for India.
IND 0-0 NED
- 7 Jun 2025 2:19 PM GMT
150th match for Hardik Singh
India's vice captain Hardik Singh completes 150 international appearances today. The midfield maestro is here to stay!
- 7 Jun 2025 2:16 PM GMT
3' - Good start for India
A good start for India as they take charge straight away. They are eager to press forward and even penetrate the circle once, but the danger is averted by a good tackle by Netherlands.
IND 0-0 NED
