Dutch claim men’s title after India win

ROTTERDAM: The Indian men’s hockey team’s FIH Pro League title hopes went up in smoke after suffering a 1-2 defeat against the Netherlands in the second match of the two-leg tie here on Sunday.

India had lost 1-4 to the Dutch in the shootout on Saturday after both the sides finished 2-2 at the end of the regulation 60 minutes. The Indians needed an outright win over the Netherlands to have an outside chance of clinching the title, but it was not to be. Netherlands won the FIH Pro League in the men’s section with 35 points from 14 games, with two games still in hand.

Olympic champions Belgium finished second with 35 points from 16 games, while India occupied the third spot with 30 points from 16 matches.

The Indians started on a strong* note, taking the lead inside 30 seconds with a brilliant field goal by Abhishek.

Abhishek collected the ball in the right flank and dodged past four defenders with brilliant stickwork to push the ball past Netherlands’ second goalkeeper Mauritzs Visser.

The Indians put the Dutch defence under persistent pressure from the start and dominated the early share of exchanges. But the Netherlands forged their way back into the game.

Indian women suffer 2-3 defeat to Argentina

The Indian women’s hockey team squandered a one-goal lead to lose 2-3 to Olympic silver medallists Argentina in the second match of the double-leg FIH Pro League tie here on Sunday.india won their first meeting. Argentina won the FIH Pro League crown, finishing with 42 points from 16 games, 10 clear of second placed Netherlands.