FIH Hockey World League Final, Highlights: India Beat Netherlands in Shootout to Win Historic Bronze

India avenged their 3-1 defeat to Netherlands in pool games to come out victorious in the third-place playoff in the FIH Hockey World League Final. It was also a come-from-behind win for India as they claimed their first medal at a major FIH event after 33 years. Catch all the highlights of the match here.

Post Match Interview Manpreet Singh #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/CFF3sFhYMJ

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

Rupinder Pal scores from the spot to win the bronze medal for India #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/aQqm1ufJMW

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

2030 hrs IST: That's the end of the match and what a fantastic and nail-biting finish it was. India came back from a 2-0 deficit to stun the world No.2. This win will surely boost their confidence ahead of the Rio Olympics next year.

2028 hrs IST: It's a penalty stroke to India. Rupinder Pal scores and India win 3-2 on penalties for first FIH medal in 33 years.

2026 hrs IST: All eyes on Manpreet now. He misses his stroke but good news is that India will have a penalty stroke after Dutch goalie was found obstructing Manpreet.

2026 hrs IST: Sreejesh once again proves why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. India 2 Netherlands 2.

2015 hrs IST: Sardar Singh puts India on level terms. It's 2-2 now.

2025 hrs IST: Netherlands have their lead back. Make it 2-1.

2024 hrs IST: Bindra Lakra makes it 1-1.

2023 hrs IST: Sreejesh denies Holland again.

2022 hrs IST: Amir fails in his attempt. Dutch lead 1-0

2020 hrs IST: Sreejesh saves.

2019 hrs IST: Danish Mujtaba scores but denied goal by TV referee for showing hockey stick to goalie.

2018 hrs IST: Netherlands score in their first attempt.

2013 hrs IST: Netherlands score from PC to make 5-5 in the final few seconds. Shootout to decide winners.

2008 hrs IST: Goal! Netherlands stay in the game as Weerden converts penalty to to cut India's lead to 5-4. A tense finish is on the cards.

2003 hrs IST: Goal! Akashdeep joins the party. India now lead 5-3.

NED 3-4 IND Rupinder Pal slots home from the penalty spot to restore India's lead #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/mvGRzthD82

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

2000 hrs IST: Goal! Rupinder Pal Singh scores his second to put India 4-3 ahead. He converted a penalty stroke.

1958 hrs IST: Goal! Mink Van der Weerden converts Penalty Corner to make it 3-3 for the Netherlands. A thrilling finish is on the cards.

1953 hrs IST: Goal! Ramandeep Singh strikes again and India are 3-2 up now. It has been an absolute delight watching him play.

NED 2-2 IND Finally India score a corner through Rupinder #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/5WvqvsnD5R

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

1949 hrs IST: Goal! Rupinder Pal Singh breaks India's PC jinx as he converts it to make it 2-2. A bronze medal is in sight now. What a comeback it has been by the home team.

1948 hrs IST: India get Penalty Corner for foot foul by a Dutch defender.

1944 hrs IST: That's the end of the third quarter. India need to regroup in the final session. An exciting fourth and final quarter awaits.

1942 hrs IST: India look pumped up and motivated with that goal. They are keeping the ball possession and the Dutch now look under immense pressure.

NED 2-1 IND It's a lifeline for India as Ramandeep chips the ball home #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/DPPfjuFsCP

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

1939 hrs IST: Goal! Ramandeep Singh's superb goal cuts Netherlands lead to 2-1 in the third quarter. It was a great pass from Manpreet Singh to Ramandeep, who dived to beat the charging in Dutch keeper to keep India in the game.

1934 hrs IST: Netherlands too fail to convert their Penalty Corner. Sreejesh makes a good saving effort to deny Holland their third goal.

1932 hrs IST: Manpreet Singh falls down after being pushed by a Netherlands player in the centre field.

1931 hrs IST: Netherlands down to 10 men.

1929 hrs IST: India waste another golden opportunity to score.

1928 hrs IST: India awarded Penalty Corner for foot foul by a Dutch defender.

1925 hrs IST: Sardar Singh makes a good move but lacks support in the Holland 'D'.

1923 hrs IST: Second half gets underway. An exciting session is expected from both the teams but can India turn the table?

1914 hrs IST: First half comes to an end. India did get a couple of PCs but their poor form in the 'D' kept them scoreless. Netherlands are certainly in a strong position after their second goal.

1911 hrs IST: Second Penalty Corner for India in the 29th minute. And once again it yields no results.

1907 hrs IST: India's poor conversion rate continues.

1906 hrs IST: India awarded their first penalty corner. Time for India to pull one back.

NED 2-0 IND van der Schoot crashes the ball high into the roof of the net #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/X6Gde0gB7u

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

1905 hrs IST: Goal! Niek Schoot doubles Netherlands advantage in the 25th minute. Schoot reverse hit over Sreejesh head to put the Dutch in a strong position. It was a brilliant pass by See van Ass.

1858 hrs IST: Talwinder sets pace but once again Indian forwards continue their dismal show. India have scored only four goals in five matches.

1854 hrs IST: Second quarter starts and Holland continue to mount pressure on Indians.

1852 hrs IST: That's the end of the first quarter. Netherlands have been a dominant force so far. The Dutch had 56 per cent possession in the session with four shots on target.

1847 hrs IST: Danish Mujtaba dribbles past two Dutch defenders but fails to beat goalkeeper. India need better finishing to end the tournament on a high.

NED 1-0 IND Pruijser put the Netherlands ahead #HWL2015 #Raipur https://t.co/TFkfz7i0ym

- FIH (@FIH_Hockey) December 6, 2015

1845 hrs IST: Goal! Netherlands take lead as Micro Pruijser strikes past Sreejesh in the ninth minute. That was poor defending from the home team. Hosts need to lift their game. India 0 Holland 1.

1842 hrs IST: Forward SV Sunil fails to breach Dutch defence. He falls after being tripped.

1840 hrs IST: Netherlands make first attack.

1836 hrs IST: VR Raghunath starts from bench.

1830 hrs IST: Both teams are out in the middle. This is revenge time for misfiring India. The Sardar Singh-led will aim to finish the tournament on a high.

Preview

An inconsistent performance may have cost India dear in the ongoing FIH Hockey World league Final in Raipur, but they would be hoping to end their tournament on a high as they face the Netherlands in the bronze medal clash.

The last time these two teams met, Netherlands handed India a hockey lesson, thrashing them 3-1 during their final pool game of the ongoing tournament.

That's been the story of the India's performance throughout the tournament. They started off the campaign on a disastrous note losing 3-0 to Argentina. Akashdeep Singh managed to salvage pride as India drew versus Germany 1-1.

But just when it looked all over for Sardar Singh's side, they came up with an inspired display beating Great Britain 2-1 in the quarter-final.

However, it was heartbreak for the hosts as a soft goal in the 11th minute cost them a place in the final against an in-form Belgium side at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel stadium.

Poor Finishing from Indian forwards

Indian forwards have been largely disappointing with SV Sunil and Akashdeep Singh missing out on easy opportunities to score.

Talwinder Singh and Ramandeep have only being the saving grace for India in the forward line.

India's poor show can be gauged from the fact that they failed to take a single shot in the Belgium goal in the first 30 minutes.

India's chief coach Roelant Oltmans was critical of his players' performance after the no-show against the Red Lions.

"The first two quarters were for Belgium but I think the next two quarters we played well and belonged to us. We did everything to score a goal. We created chances but sometimes luck is not in your side and that's part of the game," he said.

"We were close but just not good enough at the moment," he had added.

The Netherlands were made to work hard in quarters before their dream run came to an end by Australia in semis. (Image: Hockey India)

Netherlands on a roll

Netherlands on the other hand, were on a roll before losing to Australia in the semifinal.

They started off their campaign with a draw against Germany, before edging out on Argentina in their second game.

They eased past Canada 2-0 in the quarterfinal. In the semifinal, they fought their way back into the game only to lose the game 3-2 to world number one Australia.

Roel Bovendeert and Mirco Pruijser have been in good form scoring three and two goals, respectively.