Dutch down India
Orange-brigade inflicts 3-1 defeat on hosts; coach Oltmans left fuming about passing skills and timing.
Roelant Oltmans was an angry man yesterday, albiet, he hid it behind his smile. It was not the 1-3 defeat at the hands of The Netherlands that had upset the Indian coach. It was the way his men played the concluding league match of the tournament.
Picture This:
When Netherlands were in a similar situation in the fourth quarter, Billy Bakker did all the hard work in the opposition half to enter the circle, flicked the ball to Roel Bovendeert waiting on his right who slashed it over goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s head. This also turned out to be the winner.
These contrasting approaches in similar situations were the main reason behind Oltmans’ ire. Without naming any player, Oltmans said he expected top hockey at this level. “We should get more out of circle penetrations. You may enter the circle at a very, very high speed, but you should know when and who to pass. You don’t take your own time to find the right player. If you see how Holland scored the last goal, it was the right pass that they capitalised on. You can’t start learning things at a certain level, especially when you play at top level,” Oltmans said.
India were not all that bad. They clearly dominated the first two quarters, creating enough opportunities to score. However, it was individual flashes of brilliance that out shone the team agenda.
India’s third quarter started with Rupinder’s green card. Six minutes into this quarter, Birender Lakra’s attempt to block an opposition move resulted in a short corner. Specialist Mink can der Weerden made no mistake.
In the 43rd minute, a hit from Weerden from the right into the circle was sweetly converted by an unmarked Mirco Pruijser as The Netherlands went up 2-0. “We made mistakes in the third quarter. Our structure and organisation was all over the place. We were quite unlucky with the goal as we were one man short, although I am a bit doubtful about that green,” India’s high Performance Director explained.
In order to avoid finishing last in Group B, India tried the attack-is-thebest-defence mantra in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, Sunil got into action again. Dodging three opposition players from 21 yards, Sunil helped India earn a penalty corner. Rupinder’s along-the-turf hit was stopped dead by a defender’s stick giving enough time for Chinglensana Kangujam to push it into the net. But then came the 54th minute winner from Bovendeert.
“We went all out in the last quarter to see if we could get back into the game and try to get a draw, we even scored one, but then unfortunately conceded one,” Oltmans said.
In the day’s other game, Argentina beat Germany 3-1.
Roelant Oltmans was an angry man yesterday, albiet, he hid it behind his smile. It was not the 1-3 defeat at the hands of The Netherlands that had upset the Indian coach. It was the way his men played the concluding league match of the tournament.
Picture This:
In the third quarter, SV Sunil made a quick run from the right, dribbled past couple of Oranje defenders to enter the circle and then delayed passing the ball to the closest teammate available. An opportunity squandered.
When Netherlands were in a similar situation in the fourth quarter, Billy Bakker did all the hard work in the opposition half to enter the circle, flicked the ball to Roel Bovendeert waiting on his right who slashed it over goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s head. This also turned out to be the winner.
These contrasting approaches in similar situations were the main reason behind Oltmans’ ire. Without naming any player, Oltmans said he expected top hockey at this level. “We should get more out of circle penetrations. You may enter the circle at a very, very high speed, but you should know when and who to pass. You don’t take your own time to find the right player. If you see how Holland scored the last goal, it was the right pass that they capitalised on. You can’t start learning things at a certain level, especially when you play at top level,” Oltmans said.
India were not all that bad. They clearly dominated the first two quarters, creating enough opportunities to score. However, it was individual flashes of brilliance that out shone the team agenda.
India’s third quarter started with Rupinder’s green card. Six minutes into this quarter, Birender Lakra’s attempt to block an opposition move resulted in a short corner. Specialist Mink can der Weerden made no mistake.
In the 43rd minute, a hit from Weerden from the right into the circle was sweetly converted by an unmarked Mirco Pruijser as The Netherlands went up 2-0. “We made mistakes in the third quarter. Our structure and organisation was all over the place. We were quite unlucky with the goal as we were one man short, although I am a bit doubtful about that green,” India’s high Performance Director explained.
In order to avoid finishing last in Group B, India tried the attack-is-thebest-defence mantra in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, Sunil got into action again. Dodging three opposition players from 21 yards, Sunil helped India earn a penalty corner. Rupinder’s along-the-turf hit was stopped dead by a defender’s stick giving enough time for Chinglensana Kangujam to push it into the net. But then came the 54th minute winner from Bovendeert.
“We went all out in the last quarter to see if we could get back into the game and try to get a draw, we even scored one, but then unfortunately conceded one,” Oltmans said.
In the day’s other game, Argentina beat Germany 3-1.
