India beat Netherlands 2-1 in second practice match

Hosts India defeated Netherlands 2-1 in their second practice match ahead of the forthcoming hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Friday.

Star striker Prabhjot Singh put India ahead in the third minute through a field goal, while Deepak Thakur came up with another field goal in the 26th minute to seal the match in home team's favour.

For Netherlands, Taeke Taekena (15th) coverted a penalty corner and convert a lone goal.

In a fast paced encounter, India dominated the first half with continuous raids at the rivals citadel. The Indians made short passes and used the flanks well.

However, the hosts failed to convert the three penalty corners that came their way, while the Dutch converted one of the two chances that they got.

For India, Shivendra Singh, Bharat Chikara and custodian Adrian D'Souza played brilliant hockey. Especially Adrian was terrific at the goal post as he came up with as many as three brilliant saves to deny the Netherlands an equaliser.

As expected, both the teams tested their bench strength and made frequent rolling substitution in the match ahead of the 12 team quadrennial event which begins in New Delhi on Sunday.

India defeated Argentina by a similar 2-1 margin in the first practice match. India will open its campaign in the World Cup against Pakistan on Sunday.