Amstelveen, India will face its biggest test when they takes on co-hosts and reigning Olympic champions the Netherlands in the World Cup second round opener here on Saturday, aware that there is virtually no room for error in their bid to reach the semifinals.
On the other hand the Dutch team won all three matches convincingly, defeating New Zealand 5-1, Argentina 3-1 and Japan 4-1.
The 10,000-capacity venue is expected to be full of Dutch supporters, who have turned up in huge numbers throughout the tournament. They defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in the final FIH Pro League match in Rotterdam in June, after losing the opening game by the same margin. If we get the ball within 25 metres, we need to keep it.
We need to learn from these and perform better in the future,” Harmanpreet had said after the Pakistan match. On their day they can beat any team and their captain Harmanpreet Singh looks in top form,” the Netherlands captain Thierry Brinkman said after defeating Japan in the last group match. A sea of orange in the stands, constant chanting and passionate backing for the home side could make the setting intimidating for India. The Netherlands also carried three points in the second round having defeated the Argentina in the first round. Jugraj Singh, Abhishek and Rajinder Singh scored in that victory, and all three are part of the Indian World Cup squad. Abhishek has carried that confidence into the tournament, scoring two superb field goals against Pakistan, while captain Harmanpreet Singh has been in outstanding form with five goals, the most in the tournament so far. “We need to improve our deep defence for the tough matches ahead. We made silly mistakes that allowed Pakistan to score. “India is a dangerous team as we have played against them in the FIH Pro League.
