India outclass Holland

ROTTERDAM: Class, character and creativity. That’s what true champions are made of. And that’s precisely what India proudly paraded at the main pitch of the Hockey Club Rotterdam here on Saturday. It not only fetched them a resounding 4-1 win over hosts Holland but, more importantly, ensured that they carried forward six points to the second league phase of the Rabo men’s under-21 Junior World Cup hockey tournament on a cent per cent record.
The triumph, constructed on a superb team effort, also re-affirmed their dominance of the Tangerine Tribe.For, in their last warm-up tournament in Bilbao (Spain), which they won, they had beaten the Dutch 4-3.
India won convincingly. And that was because they were the more organised side — a lot sharper up-front and solid and sure in defence. Thus far, it was mainly the midfield that showed quality in depth. But on Saturday, even the attack functioned with its usual flair and fluidity with Tushar Khandekar as its spearhead. The 20-year-old and his mates used the dribble to good advantage to harry and torment the opposition.
In defence, both Sandeep Singh and William Xalco came up with good performances. In fact, every player played to his true potential today. By not being averse to employing the dodge, which is their strength, the Indians showed self-belief in abundance. Nitin Kumar, V S Vinay, Tushar Khandekar, Vikram Kant, Vivek Gupta and even Sandeep Singh, William Xalco Birender Lakra never shied away from the opportunity to dribble past a defender.
With artistry liberated, the Indians always held sway. the Dutch looked more like patrons at a dance hall at daybreak. They were taken aback by the skill as well as the short-passing of the Indians. In the end, it was more surrender than mere defeat.
The Indians played to a ploy. There were two short spells of 3 minutes each on either side of the breather that proved productive -- Sandeep Singh (through his drag flicks) and Khandekar showing great opportunism picked up a brace of goals apiece.