Virtually assured of a QF spot after their morale-boosting win against Argentina, a buoyant India will face world number two Netherlands in a tough Pool B clash in the Rio Olympics on Thursday Aug 11,2016
After a close 3-2 win over Ireland in their opening match, India suffered a disappointing 1-2 loss against the reigning Olympic champions Germany but bounced back to notch up a 2-1 win against Argentina to remain among the top four in the six-team pool.
India survived a nerve-wracking fourth quarter against Argentina, holding on to their 2-1 lead. For India, the key would be their defence to hold firm in the dying stages.
The target now will be to finish the league stages as high as possible in the points table so as to avoid a higher-ranked team in the last-eight stage.
The Netherlands have an experienced captain in Robert van der Horst, the 2015 FIH Player of the Year, a two-time Olympian and 2012 silver medalist who is hoping to lead the second-ranked Oranje to their first Olympic gold since Sydney 2000.
Having started off with a 3-3 draw against Argentina, the Netherlands, London 2012 silver medallists, have picked up the momentum by hammering 15 goals in three matches to sit second in the Pool B table behind defending champions Germany.
After their drawn match against Argentina, they blanked Ireland 5-0 and in their last tie they routed Canada 7-0.
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