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#2 The Netherlands vs India (Quarterfinal)
While the quality of play, for the most part, may not have pleased the purists of the game, the supercharged atmosphere at the Kalinga Stadium and the enormity of the prize at stake after a gap of 43 years contributed to making the fourth quarterfinal of the World Cup, a match to remember.
Over fifteen-thousand impassioned Indian supporters attempted to will their team on against a formidable Dutch unit, only to return home teary-eyed - but not before they had witnessed a magnificent clash of the hockey titans.
Akashdeep Singh's early goal got the crowd to their feet, but Thierry Brinkman's deflection which beat Sreejesh was greeted by a small pocket of orange shirts, just as the sound of the ball hitting the backboard seeming to stop a million heartbeats momentarily.
A see-saw battle ensued right through a barren second and third quarter with not a dull moment in sight but a rare defensive lapse by the Indians allowed the Dutch to earn a PC in the 50th minute.
Amit Rohidas who had rushed out bravely taking many a drag-flick on his body at Bhubaneswar, left his mark a moment too soon and was banished to the sidelines, allowing Mink van der Weeden to score with one runner less between the posts.
Just when the Indians needed to up the ante, Amit picked up a yellow card for a seemingly-harsh tackle which was the last thing the hosts needed - and failed to find an equalizer in spite of taking Sreejesh off with just over three minutes left on the clock.
It was a gallant effort indeed from a young Indian side but the maturity and experience of the Dutch proved a bit too much to handle for Manpreet and co. who played their hearts out in front of an adoring crowd - who will, perhaps. remember every moment of the great encounter despite the final result.
