The Indian Men's Hockey Team began their FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26 campaign with a narrow 2-3 loss against the Netherlands at Hockey Club Rotterdam on Sunday. The match was closely contested, with both sides displaying high-quality hockey.
Match Summary
Dilpreet Singh (10') and Sukhjeet Singh (33') scored for India, while Miles Bukkens (3'), Koen Bijen (23') and Tijmen Reyenga (40') found the net for the Dutch, according to a press release. The hosts started aggressively, controlling possession and earning four penalty corners early on. Miles Bukkens opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a reverse finish past the Indian goalkeeper.
India nearly equalized through Shilanand Lakra, who hit the post in the 8th minute. However, Dilpreet Singh leveled the score in the 10th minute after a long pass from Harmanpreet Singh, firing from a narrow angle. In the second quarter, the Netherlands dominated possession but were kept at bay by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. Koen Bijen restored the Dutch lead in the 23rd minute with a first-time strike, making it 2-1 at halftime.
Second Half Action
India started the second half with better possession and earned their first penalty corner, which Sukhjeet Singh converted in the 33rd minute to level the score at 2-2. The Netherlands responded swiftly with a penalty corner variation, as Tijmen Reyenga fired past the goalkeeper in the 40th minute to regain the lead. India pushed hard in the final quarter, forcing the Dutch to defend in numbers, but the hosts held on for a 3-2 victory.
India will face Germany in their next match on June 17 at 23:00 hrs. (ANI)
