India wins a thriller to take bronze

A spirited India broke a 33-year-old medal jinx in a major international tournament as it came back from two goals down to stun defending champion Netherlands in the shootout after both the teams were tied 5-5 at regulation time in a thrilling bronze medal play-off match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final here on Sunday.

India last won a medal in an international tournament way back in 1982 when it beat Pakistan 5-4 in the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam.

In the shoot-out, the Indians prevailed over the Dutch 3-2 at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium and the win avenged a 1-3 defeat in the pool stage here.

After starting the match on a slow note, India produced a fine show in the last two quarters to beat the World No. 2 with relentless attacks in the second half.

The Netherlands was quick to take a 2-0 lead in the first half, courtesy some sloppy defending from the Indians, through Mirco Pruisjer (9th minute) and Niek van der Schoot (25th)’s field goals.

It was a high intensity match which produced as many as six goals in the last 10 minutes, three each to India and the Netherlands.

The Indians got their acts together after the change of ends and Ramandeep Singh (39th minute) scored from a field strike before Rupinder Pal Singh Singh converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute to level the scores.

With the teams tied at 2-2, the fourth and final quarter produced some enthralling hockey as India attacked the Dutch citadel with more purpose and vigour and it resulted in another field goal for the host when Ramandeep (51st minute) scored his second of the day.

The last six minutes of the game produced as many as five goals with the Netherlands equalising three minutes later through Van der Weerden (54th) who converted a penalty corner.

But in the very next minuteRupinder scored his second of the day when he perfectly converted a penaltystroke.