Indian Hockey Team Knocked out After Losing In Quarterfinal

Indian lost against Netherlands in the quarterfinal
Indian Hockey Team Knocked out After Losing In Quarterfinal

India's 43-year long wait to reach the semi-final of the Hockey World Cup was prolonged by the Netherlands as they beat the hosts 2-1 on Thursday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.

Netherland stands on 4 number as they dominated the host from the very beginning and were clearly the better team. After scoring one in the first Quarter, another goal from Mink van der Weerden in the fourth quarter doubled the Netherlands leads, virtually leaving Indian out of contention.

India tried a lot to claw their way back in the game but the Netherlands were too strong for them.

The second half saw both teams battling for the lead even as the tourist managed to keep possession of the ball on most occasion, only to return to the dugout locked at 1-1 by halftime.

Both sides started with a bang in an eventful first quarter that witnessed Akashdeep putting the hosts ahead in the 12th minute with a brilliant reverse flick after the initial penalty corner attempt was parried by the Dutch Goalkeeper.

It was in the 50th minute when Weerden hit the ball dead straight only to find India's custodian PR Sreejesh wrong-footed as the ball found the target.

India had a golden opportunity to square things off but Harmanpreet's shot was saved by the Dutch Goalkeeper. From there on, the Dutch defence did not allow any room to the home side as the tie ended in a heartbreak for the vociferous home crowd.

On Saturday the Dutch side will meet Australia in the Semi-Finals.

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