Netherlands edge out India 2-1 to lift Punjab Gold Cup

European champions, Netherlands capped their glorious undefeated run in the four-nation tournament edging out a spirited India 2-1 to lift the glittering Punjab Gold Cup trophy here this evening.

While Sandeep Singh scored the opening goal for India in the 42nd minute, Robert Kempermann (47th minute) and Jeoren Hertzberger (67th minute) found the target for Holland.

Despite giving an improved performance and dominating the game, poor finishing and trapping let the hosts down. The Dutch goalkeeper, Jaap Stockmann came up with some sensational saves off the penalty corners taken by Sandeep.

The domination of the hosts can be judged from the fact that they received five penalty corners while the Dutch got three, one of which was converted. Though Sandeep was on target in all the five penalty corners, Stockmann was alert under the Dutch bar.

In the pulsating encounter, the Indians were the first to test the rival defence in the 6th minute when Shivender moving from the left flank sent across into the penalty circle where Rajpal was fouled by Wouter Jolie resulting in a penalty corner. Sandeep's powerful drag-flick was on target but the Dutch keeper managed to get his gloves to the ball to deny India an early lead.

A few minutes later, the Netherlands counter attacked but the weak push by Lucas Judge was padded away by Indian custodian, Baljit Singh. The Indians had another chance in the 17th minute but Arjun Halappa and Rajpal failed to trap the ball inside the penalty circle off a cross from the right by Gurbaj Singh. The Dutch got their first penalty corner in the 19th minute but Baljit came up with three outstanding saves. First he padded a push taken by Geert Jan Derikx and then again saved two consecutive shots by Hofmann and Mercel Balkestein.

-- (UNI) -- 09SPD46.xml

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