Bhubaneswar: In a thrilling encounter at the Kalinga Stadium, the Indian women’s hockey team pulled off a sensational comeback against defending champions the Netherlands, securing a 2-2 draw before clinching the shootout 2-1 to grab the crucial bonus point in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
Trailing by two goals at halftime, India turned the game around in the third quarter, with Deepika (35’) and Baljeet Kaur (43’) finding the net to level the score. The Netherlands had earlier taken the lead through Captain Pien Sanders (17’) and Fay van der Elst (28’), but their advantage was erased by India’s spirited fightback.
Following this remarkable victory, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for each Indian player and ₹50,000 for each member of the support staff, in addition to their existing incentive of ₹50,000 per win.
The Dutch dominated possession early on and won multiple penalty corners in the first quarter. A powerful strike from Matla Frederique in the 5th minute was brilliantly saved by Savita, setting the tone for India’s resolute defense. However, the Netherlands finally broke through in the 17th minute with a well-executed penalty corner variation that allowed Sanders to score from a tight angle.
The pressure continued in the second quarter, and in the 28th minute, Luna Fokke delivered a lofted pass to Elst, who made a diving finish to double the Dutch lead. India struggled to create clear chances in the first half, with Lalremsiami making a promising run down the left flank but failing to capitalize.
The tide turned in the third quarter as India came out with renewed energy. Deepika’s solo run down the left wing in the 35th minute saw her weave through the Dutch defense before finding the net with a stunning finish. Baljeet Kaur then brought India level in the 43rd minute with a first-time strike off a pinpoint pass from Sharmila Devi.
The final quarter saw both teams relentlessly pushing for a winner, but neither side could convert their chances. India’s defense stood strong, denying the Dutch multiple opportunities, while Salima Tete came close to scoring in the 53rd minute on a counterattack.
With the match ending in a deadlock, the game proceeded to a shootout where Deepika and Mumtaz Khan found the net for India, while Savita’s crucial saves sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory, marking a historic upset against the reigning champions.
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