India Secures 3-2 Victory Over Netherlands in FIH Pro League
On June 21, 2026, India concluded the Rotterdam leg of their FIH Pro League campaign with a hard-fought 3-2 win against the Netherlands, showcasing impressive defensive skills despite having limited possession. Coach Craig Fulton’s team faced a strong Dutch side and managed to secure two victories in four matches during this leg of the tournament.
The match saw India taking the lead midway through the second quarter when Jugraj Singh scored a powerful penalty corner shot. However, the lead was short-lived, as Pepijn van der Heijden quickly equalized for the Netherlands with an equally fierce dragflick just moments later.
India surged ahead again minutes after conceding, thanks to Abhishek, who expertly trapped a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh inside the circle, turned swiftly, and unleashed a reverse strike that slipped past Dutch goalkeeper Derk Meijer.
Holding a 2-1 lead at halftime, India entered the third quarter with a strategy focused on defensive solidity. The Dutch managed only two shots on goal in this period, neither of which required a save from Indian keeper Suraj Karkera.
The fourth quarter saw India extend their advantage from another penalty corner. Though the initial injection was off-target, Rajinder Singh displayed quick thinking, improvising to execute a dragflick into the bottom corner, establishing a crucial two-goal buffer.
The Netherlands managed to pull one goal back when Koen Bijen, playing in his 100th international match, deflected van der Heijden’s flick into the net. In the final stages, Joppe Wolbert received a yellow card, forcing the Dutch to chase the game with ten players.
With this victory, India improved their record in the Rotterdam leg to two wins out of four, securing victories against both Germany and the Netherlands. This result marks a turnaround for Fulton’s squad following earlier struggles in the season, especially during the home games against Belgium and Argentina.
India will continue their Pro League journey, with upcoming matches against England and Pakistan in London.
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
