India fought hard before slumping to its second defeat of the European tour, losing 4-2 to the Netherlands at The Hague on Thursday, while in Dublin, the women’s team won the second Test against Ireland 2-1.
The Netherlands started the game on an attacking mode and Mirco Pruyser sliced in a goal in the ninth minute.
Glenn Schuurman and Tristan Algera struck in the 15th and the 28th minutes respectively to hand the host a 3-0 lead at the midway mark.
The Indians produced a spirited fight-back in the second half and came back through goals from S.K. Uthappa (37th) and captain Sardar Singh (40th).
But the Dutchmen made life difficult for India in the 60th minute when Billy Baker slammed home.
The tourists will play their fifth and the last build-up game of the tour against the Netherlands on Saturday.
The women’s team continued its impressive show to win 2-1 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead over Ireland in the three-match series.
India opened its account in the 18th minute when Soundarya Yendala converted a penalty corner. The lead was doubled two minutes later through Sunita’s field goal. Ireland pulled one back at the stroke of half-time through Nicola Evans’s field effort.
India were the dominant side on display in the first half while Ireland played catch-up.
After the change of ends, both India and Ireland fought hard and concentrated on tightening defence to prevent further damage.
The results:
In The Hague: Men: The Netherlands 4 (Mirco Pruyser 9, Glenn Schuurman 15, Tristan Algera 28, Billy Baker 60) bt India 2 (S.K. Uthappa 37, Sardar Singh 40).
In Dublin: Women: India 2 (Soundarya 18, Sunita 20) bt Ireland 1 (Nicola Evans 35).