Netherlands whitewashed India in three-match series

 Indian women’s hockey team was handed a 3-1 loss by the world No. 1 Netherlands in the final match of the three-match Test series at the University of Cape Town on Saturday. 

Dutch forward Pien Dicke opened the scoring in the 25th minute but India, eighth in women’s hockey world rankings, responded 10 minutes later through Vandana Katariya. 

An infringement by Indian defenders saw the Netherlands being awarded a penalty stroke in the 37th minute, which Yibbi Jansen converted.

The Netherlands added to their lead in the 43rd minute. Sabine Plonissen’s drag-flick beat the Indian goalkeeper after the Netherlands were awarded a penalty corner. 

After both teams failed to add to scoring in the final quarter, the match ended 3-1 in the favour of the Netherlands. 

The Indian hockey team also lost the previous two matches of the series against the Dutch with identical 3-1 margins. Beauty Dungdung scored India’s goal in the opening match while Salima Tete netted for India in the second match. 

Earlier, India had beaten world No. 22 South Africa 3-0 in the four-match Test series at the same venue. India won the first three matches of the series with 5-1, 7-0 and 4-0 scores before being held to a 2-2 draw in their final match.