Mumbai, Feb 25: The Indian women’s hockey team pulled off a stunning upset against reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands, clinching victory in a thrilling shootout after a 2-2 deadlock in regulation time during their final home leg match of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The Netherlands took an early advantage, with Pien Sanders (17th minute) and Fay van der Elst (28th) putting the visitors 2-0 ahead by halftime. However, India mounted a spirited comeback, equalizing through brilliant strikes from Deepika (35th) and Baljeet Kaur (43rd).
In the decisive shootout, Deepika and Mumtaz Khan converted their attempts for India, while Marijn Veen was the sole scorer for the Netherlands. Goalkeeper Savita played a pivotal role with crucial saves, securing India’s dramatic 2-1 victory in the shootout.
The win was especially sweet for India, as they had fallen to the Netherlands 2-4 in the first leg on Monday. Across their eight home-leg matches from February 15, India recorded three wins, including this one, while suffering five losses, one of which came via a shootout.
Celebrating the remarkable triumph, Hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for each Indian player and Rs 50,000 for each member of the support staff, in addition to the existing Rs 50,000 incentive per victory.
The Netherlands dominated possession and goal attempts in the opening quarter, earning an early penalty corner in the 5th minute. Matla Frederique’s powerful strike was brilliantly saved by Savita. The visitors continued pressing, winning three consecutive penalty corners, but India’s resilient defense held firm.
The Dutch breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Sanders capitalized on a penalty corner variation, slotting the ball home from a tight angle. Another opportunity came in the 23rd minute, but India successfully blocked Sanders’ shot. Just before halftime, the Netherlands doubled their lead as Luna Fokke delivered a precise lofted pass to Elst, who made a diving finish into the net.
India intensified their attack in the third quarter and found a way back into the game. In the 35th minute, Deepika showcased her dribbling prowess, weaving past defenders along the left flank before expertly finishing past the Dutch goalkeeper.
Despite continued offensive pressure from the Netherlands, India remained resolute in defense. Savita pulled off another critical save in the 39th minute to deny a Dutch penalty corner attempt. India nearly found another goal when Deepika set up Salima Tete, but the captain failed to make proper contact.
The equalizer arrived in the 43rd minute through Baljeet Kaur’s sublime finish. Sharmila Devi drove down the right wing before delivering a pinpoint pass to Baljeet, who struck first-time into the near post, beating the Dutch keeper.
With the match finely poised, both teams fought fiercely for a winner in the final quarter. The Netherlands launched multiple attacks but struggled with finishing. India had a golden counterattacking opportunity in the 53rd minute when Salima burst into the shooting circle, but the Dutch defense recovered swiftly to clear the danger.
As the game remained level at full-time, it advanced to a shootout. Deepika and Mumtaz Khan stepped up for India, calmly converting their chances, while Savita’s heroics ensured India edged past the Netherlands 2-1, sealing a sensational victory against the defending champions.
