India go down to Netherlands 3-6 in Hamburg Masters hockey

HAMBURG - India were outplayed 3-6 by the Netherlands in their opening match of the Hamburg hockey Masters tournament at the Ulhenhoster hockey club here Friday.

Bob de Voogd (9th minute), Robbert Kemperman (17th), Jeroen Hertzburger (22nd), Klaas Vermeulen (34th), Mink ven der Weerden (46th) and Constantijn Jonker (60th) scored for the Dutch.

For India, Dhananjay Mahadik (18th), Sandeep Singh (43rd) and Ravi Pal (52nd Min) slotted home.

India made a slow start and committed several errors in the deep defence. With the exception of Sardar Singh, who played his heart out, the other defenders were not up to the mark.

Dutch forwards Bob de Voogd, Rogier Hofman and Jeroen Hertzburger put the Indian defence under pressure and scored the first goal when De Voogd scored off a cross from Verga.

Eight minutes later Kemperman made it 2-0.

India earned their first penalty corner in the 18th min when captain Rajpal Singh was fouled by a Dutch defender. Mahadik slotted the ball to the goalkeeper’s left with a carpet flick.

The Dutch then fired two goals by Burger and Vermeulen in a span of 12 minutes.

India earned another penalty corner eight minutes into the second half and Sandeep Singh made no mistake with his low dragflick.

Shortly after, Mink ven der Weerden paid India back in the same coin from their third penalty corner.

The Dutch goal had a close shave when Tushar Khandker missed the target with a reverse flick off a Ravi Pal pass.

Midfielder Ravi scored India’s third goal latching onto a pass from Dharamvir Singh.

The Netherlands completed their tally when Jonker was set up by Vermeulen. The Dutch got three points from the victory.

In another match, hosts Germany beat Japan 5-3.

India will next play world no.2 and Olympic Champions Germany.