[hockey] India Loses First Match to Holland 3-5

The Indian hockey team made a disappointing start to their campaign in the final leg of their European tour, losing 3-5 to The Netherlands in the first Test of the two-match series in Amstelveen.

The Dutch toyed with the Indians in the opening half, pumping in five goals at the Wagener Stadium here late last night before the visitors made a failed comeback bid with three goals.

For Holland, Timme Hoyng (second minute), Teun de Nooijer (fourth), Taeke Taekema (17th and 25th) and Rogier Hoffman (32nd minute) were the goal-getters, while Sardar Singh (40th) and Prabhjot Singh (60th and 69th minute) scored the consolations for India.

India play the last match of the European tour against the same team on 16th august.