FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26: India Suffer Narrow 2-3 Defeat To Netherlands
FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26: India Suffer Narrow 2-3 Defeat To Netherlands Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 22:15 IST India lose 2-3 to
FIH Men's Pro League 2025-26: India Suffer Narrow 2-3 Defeat To Netherlands Published By, Last Updated: June 14, 2026, 22:15 IST India lose 2-3 to Netherlands in Rotterdam, goals from Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh not enough. India next face Germany on 17 June. India lose 2-3 to Netherlands (HI) The Indian men’s hockey team suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat to the Netherlands at Hockey Club Rotterdam on Sunday. Dilpreet Singh (10’) and Sukhjeet Singh (33’) scored for India, while Miles Bukkens (3’), Koen Bijen (23’) and Tijmen Reyenga (40’) found the target for the Dutch. India vs Netherlands: How It Happened? The hosts started on the front foot, dominating possession as they looked to make early inroads. They piled on the pressure with four penalty corners in quick succession and broke the deadlock when Miles Bukkens (3’) unleashed an upright reverse shot past the Indian goalkeeper to give the Netherlands the lead.
Shilanand Lakra almost brought India level in the 8th minute, but his effort struck the post. The visitors eventually equalised through Dilpreet Singh (10’), who capitalised on a sensational long pass from Harmanpreet Singh and fired his shot past the Dutch goalkeeper from a narrow angle. The Netherlands enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the second quarter, creating chances regularly but failing to beat Suraj Karkera. Playing on the counterattack, India saw Dilpreet Singh come close to doubling his tally, only to be denied by the Dutch goalkeeper. The hosts restored their lead when Koen Bijen (23’) scored with a first-time strike, giving the Netherlands a 2-1 advantage at halftime. India began the second half by stringing together neat passes and dictating the tempo as they grew into the game.
The visitors earned their first penalty corner of the match and made it count with a clever set-piece routine, which was finished off by Sukhjeet Singh (33’) to level the scores at 2-2. The Dutch responded with a penalty corner variation of their own, as Tijmen Reyenga (40’) rifled his effort past the goalkeeper to restore their lead. Chasing a one-goal deficit, India played with greater intent in the final quarter, pushing the Netherlands deep into their own half. The hosts were forced to defend in numbers as India continued to search for an equaliser through a series of penalty corners. However, the Netherlands held firm to secure a 3-2 victory. India will face Germany in their next match on 17th June. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ritayan Basu Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com.
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