India are back at competing in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 edition, and in an intense clash against Netherlands at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, India lost the match 1-2. Captain Harmanpreet Singh was the goal- scorer for India, giving his team an early lead in the 19th minute with a penalty corner conversion. But Thijs van Dam equalised in the 29th minute and then went on to score the winning goal in the 58th minute which secured the win for the Dutch side.
With the win, Netherlands climbed up the points table to the top position, while India, who were the third before the resumption of the tournament, have now dropped a position below. If India won the game they would have ended at the top of the table. A No. 1 finish in the points table is India’s top priority considering the World Cup Qualification. If India finish the FIH Pro League at the top they make a direct qualification to the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup which will be held at the same venue they played tonight. The defeat has complicated India’s Pro League campaign, but all hope is not lost as the qualification of the upcoming World Cup still remains possible. India can secure a spot by accumulating sufficient points in the Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Bihar in August.
This is an important tournament for the Indian team considering they are playing at the same venues where the 2026 World Cup will be held — Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and Antwerp’s Sportcentrum. The fairly young team has not had much experience playing a World Cup on foreign soil since the last two World Cups were played in India.
In the match, India started off confidently and controlled possession despite pressure from the opposition. Despite multiple attempts from the home team, India’s defence held firm. The Dutch team increased their intensity in the second quarter. Steijn van Heijningen tested Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera with a shot in the 17th minute, which was successfully saved. Soon Harmanpreet gave India a lead with a penalty corner conversion. It was even-steven at half-time.
In the second half, India struggled to create any clear scoring chances and the Dutch were solid in their defence, and the third quarter ended with the scores still tied.
In the final quarter, Netherlands started to dominate possession, making the most of their chances. Van Dam controlled a pass inside the circle and scored the goal that secured the win.
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