Mandeep's brace helps India hold Netherlands

India overcame an early 0-2 setback to hold the Netherlands 2-2 at the U-23 Five Nations Tournament. Mandeep Mor scored both the goals for India.

A file photo of India U-23 player in action at the International 6 Nations U23 tournament in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Indian junior men’s hockey team overcame an early 0-2 setback to hold the Netherlands 2-2 in a hard-fought encounter at the U-23 Five Nations Tournament here.

The Netherlands caught the Indian team’s defence off-guard early in the match with Marlon scoring the first goal in the first minute.

The Dutch team’s early 1-0 lead put India on the back foot and recovering from this deficit was further affected when Jip Jansen scored in the 11th minute, making it 2-0 by the end of the first quarter.

But India clawed back into the game in the second quarter. While the team’s defence held strong in the following minutes, the Indian attackers worked on creating scoring opportunities.

The team’s first breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Mandeep Mor scored a splendid goal to narrow the difference to 1-2.

After a goalless third quarter, the Indian team pushed for goals in the final quarter and the efforts paved way for Mandeep Mor to score another goal in the 48th minute.

Though India stretched the Dutch defence as it vied for a winner, the team could not convert and was forced to settle for a draw.