India to take on Holland

Amstelveen:

India today take on the current Olympic Gold Medal winners and Champions Trophy holders Holland in the four-nation Rabobank Championship 2004 in Amstelveen. The Indians have just completed a 21-day intensive training course in the United States - the first time the Hockey team has done something like this. They have also played two international friendlies against the United States of America winning both 7-0. But the stern test for the team will come against the Dutch who have won four of the last five encounters against the Indian team including this one at the Olympic Qualifiers in Madrid in March. It is also the first time that the Indian team will play with the new penalty corner rule in effect in competition which does not allow a defender to use his body to block the ball.