It was always going to be difficult against the Netherlands. More so after you go 0-2 down. In fact, for a few minutes in the second quarter, I was about to switch off the live feed feeling deflated. That was when the fight started. It was much like Tokyo 2020 and the match against Germany. Down and almost out, India came back. Some moments of absolute brilliance set things up and when it was 2-3 going into the last quarter, you could start to believe something might happen. The Indian bench was ready to push the boys and with just six minutes to play, India managed a penalty corner. Multiple times, it was saved and it was from the third consecutive penalty corner that the boys tried the variation. It was a well-planned one with two of the players rushing in to take positions close to the goal to push in the deflection. The drag was to perfection and the deflection even better. The celebration as he saw the ball go in said a story. India, for the first time in the game, were up 4-3 with just under four minutes remaining.
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FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2023 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
India clinched a spot in the semifinals with an incredible comeback victory (4-3) against Netherlands and will now face Germany in the semi-final
Rohit was awarded TNB Man Of The Match.#RisingStars #JWCMalaysia2023 pic.twitter.com/vkmAmKeXjr
— MHC (@hockeymalaysia) December 12, 2023
The Dutch are known to fight and they did. Soon after conceding the goal, they managed to win a penalty corner. And then another. And another. India saved them much to the relief of the fans cheering for the team. Just when it seemed things were done, a bad defensive lapse allowed the Dutch one last chance. There were only 18 seconds remaining on the clock. Remember Tokyo? Remember Sreejesh against Germany? Mohith had to do the job and he looked resolute. The Dutch did manage three penalty corners on the trot, but it wasn’t to be. And with six seconds remaining, they gave up. The players literally collapsed on the pitch and emotions took over. It was a fabulous win for India and will mean a lot to the team. With the junior girls not doing too well, this win was all the more precious for Indian hockey.
Can they go deeper? Make the finals? With what we have seen, it is possible. Very possible.
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