Men's FIH Pro League: 3 talking points in India's penalty shootout win over World No.1 Netherlands

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India stunned European powerhouse Netherlands in the penalty shootout in their second match of the Men's FIH Pro League 2023-24 on Sunday (February 11) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. MyKhel brings to you three talking points from the match.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh's exhilarating drag-flick just two minutes before the full-time helped India from staring at a loss to finishing a thrilling encounter. India scored through a breathtaking counter by Hardik Singh in the 13th minute.

In the meantime, the Dutch scored two goals - one each in the second and third quarters - from Jip Janssen and Koen Bijen. The draw meant the match was enforced into a penalty shootout. India converted all the four chances they attempted, while Netherlands managed to find the back of the board just twice in as many chances.

Although India won the FIH Pro League match on penalty shootout 4-2, the match will be considered as draw with the winner in penalties earning a bonus point in the Pro League. Without further ado, let's look at three things which were key for India to stun the World No.1 side.

Harmanpreet, the saviour in 200th match

Just a day after he won the man of the match award for his brace against World No.8 Spain, the Indian dragflicker struck a ravishing flick thar went in the bottom corner of the Dutch goal post. This goal helped India level scores 2-2 ahead of the full time. Hardik Singh, who was the man of the match against the Dutch, called his captain 'best dragflicker in the world.

Hardik Singh's brilliance

Hardik was a vital cog in the Indian team's attack from the heart of midfield. The Indian vice-captain was involved in both goals netted by the team. Be it scoring the opening goal, be it stealing the ball in the second quarter, be it winning a penalty corner on occasions. He earned the decisive penalty corner, injected it and Harmanpreet did the rest to avoid a defeat.

Sreejesh's watch

Sreejesh has been sharing the goalpost duties with Krishan Bahdur Pathak for a very long time now. In case if India decides to name only one goalkeeper in an Olympics squad of 16, the former captain will have an edge with his ability to handle storm with magnetism.

He made a terrific save at the crunch moment of the game (in last two minutes). He started the shootout with a stunning reflex, denying Jorrit Croon the advantage to keep his side ahead. Jonas de Geus was also denied as India completed the process at 4-2 to obtain the bonus point in FIH Pro League.