INDIA FACE OZ IN CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL
FORCE 11 DRAW AGAINST HOSTS NETHERLANDS IN LAST LEAGUE MATCH
11 DRAW WITH DUTCH ON SATURDAY SETS UP REPEAT OF 2016 SUMMIT CLASH
BREDA (NETHERLANDS): India were held to a 1-1 draw by hosts Netherlands but it was enough for last year’s runners-up to enter their second consecutive final of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Saturday.
India scored through Mandeep Singh (47th minute) from a penalty corner rebound but the goal was nullified by Thierry Brinkman (55th) five minutes from the hooter.
Australia finished on top of the standings despite losing 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina earlier in the day.
India, who needed just a draw to progress, finished second.
As per the rules of the tournament, the top two teams will qualify for Sunday’s summit clash.
India had a great chance to take the lead early on but SV Sunil failed to control the ball from a goalmouth melee.
India kept up the pressure on the Dutch defence and earned a penalty corner in the third minute but Harmanpreet’s powerful high flick was saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Sam Van der Ven.
Another penalty corner came India’s way in the 13th minute but they wasted the opportunity while going for a variation.
The second quarter witnessed a much even contest till the 25th minute when Netherlands secured two back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was brilliantly saved by Indian custodian PR Sreejesh.
A minute later, Netherlands were rewarded with another set piece when the ball hit Harmanpreet’s foot inside the D but once again Sreejesh averted danger.
The Dutch continued to press hard in the final few minutes of the second quarter but the Indian defence averted danger as both teams went into the halfway break locked at 0-0.
Two minutes into the second half, Netherlands had a great chance but Sreejesh came to India’s rescue.
It will be a repeat of the 2016 Champions Trophy final between India and Australia, where the Kookaburras were victorious in the shoot-out.