Naveen Congratulates Team India for Thrilling Win over Netherlands in FIH Pro League

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has congratulated Team India for their trilling win over the Netherlands in the men’s FIH Pro League at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium here on Sunday. 

Well played, #TeamIndia!Congratulate @thehockeyindia on a thrilling win over @OranjeHockey in #FIHProLeague at Kalinga Stadium. Best wishes for the upcoming games in the league.#OdishaForSports #INDvNED

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 19, 2020

India made it five points from a possible six points on the opening weekend of the men’s FIH Hockey Pro League, with the hosts fighting back from 3-1 down against the Netherlands to tie the match before winning the shoot-out in a wonderful encounter.

The home favourites – 5-2 winners against the Dutch on Saturday – had the better of the early chances, but it was the Netherlands who took a 3-1 lead into half time thanks to quick-fire strikes from Mink van der Weerden, Jeroen Hertzberger and Bjorn Kellerman just before the break.

A yellow card ten-minute suspension for captain Manpreet Singh saw India play most of the third quarter with ten players, but somehow managed to avoid conceding before Mandeep Singh and Rupinder Singh netted in the fourth quarter to send the match to a shoot-out for the bonus point.

Vivek Prasad, Gurjant Singh and Akashdeep Singh successfully converted their opportunities in the one-on-ones, giving India a 3-1 shoot-out victory to thrill the home fans at the Kalinga Stadium.

The Chief Minister conveyed his best wishes to Team India for the upcoming games in the league.