Shivender and Prabhjot strike as the hosts bounce back to draw the match 2-2.
Baljit Singh pulled off double saves twice in the dying minutes as India came back from behind twice to hold the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw. Both sides have now virtually assured themselves a place in the final of the Punjab Gold Cup, to be played at the Sector 42 hockey stadium here.
Put under severe pressure in the closing stages of the match, Baljit thwarted the Dutch attack by making some good saves.
Contrary to the first match played between the two teams earlier in the tournament, where they displayed attacking hockey, Wednesday’s encounter was more of a tactical battle.
Both teams started of cautiously and like in a game of chess, waited for the right opportunity before making a move towards the rival defense. However, the Dutch looked better of the two sides again, moving the ball across the field with purpose and putting the Indians under constant pressure.
After a slow and patient start to the match, Holland took the lead in the 32nd minute. Jeroen Hertzberger collected the ball inside the Indian box, caught the defender wrong footed with a dummy and unleashed a powerful reverse hit giving goalkeeper Baljit Singh little chance to save.
Their lead didn’t last long as the home team equalised immediately after the change of sides. Man of the Match Vikram Pillai initiated a move form the right before passing the ball to Shivender Singh, who deflected it past the Dutch goalkeeper.
With the match wide open at one goal apiece, India started making some good moves down the left through Rajpal Singh and Vikram Pillai but failed to make the kill.
On the other hand, Holland found themselves 2-1 up in the 50th minute. Wouter Jolie’s shot of a penalty corner was blocked initially by Indian custodian Baljeet Singh but Geert-Jan Derikx tapped the ball on the rebound of Baljeet.
India though equalised again through Prabhjot Singh in the 56th minute and survived a late surge by the Dutch to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament. Earlier in the day, Germany and New Zealand played out a goalless draw.
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