Hockey Pro League: Clinical India women's team defeats Netherlands 2-1

by Argus News

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

India registered their first win against reigning World and Olympic champions the Netherlands in over a decade with a clinical 2-1 verdict.

Bhubaneswar, April 9: India registered their first win against reigning World and Olympic champions the Netherlands in over a decade with a clinical 2-1 verdict in an FIH Women's Hockey Pro League match at the Kalinga Stadium, here on Friday.

The Netherlands came into the contest against India with a long winning streak in the FIH competitions, with their last loss coming against Argentina in the FIH Hockey Pro League back in 2020. But with a much-changed team filled with youngsters, they more than met their match against an experienced Indian team.

With eight players making their first appearances for the Dutch national team, the visitors did not start the game as overwhelming favourites that they usually are.

The Dutch youngsters started the game in a dominant fashion, bossing possession and territory for the first 10 minutes, which also yielded three penalty corners. Those corners were well defended by Indian captain Savita as she kept the score level and India survived the initial threat and started to find their way into the game.

India's first real attack came in the 11th minute and it led to their first penalty corner. While the Dutch had not managed to find a way past the Indian defence on their three penalty corners, India found a goal right away.

Gurjit Kaur, whose shot was saved initially, found herself with the possession off the rebound. She calmly worked her way in and passed it to Navneet whose cross in the circle required just a touch from Jyoti and India had an unlikely lead.

The first goal gave India the confidence they needed and they won the mid-field battle for the rest of the first half, with their half-press that closed off attacking routes for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands still found their way into the Indian circle from time to time, but often it was through the flanks with not much support available centrally.

India scored their second goal of the game too, thanks to another penalty corner that was first saved by Remmerswaal, but the ball got stuck under her foot and by the time she could gather her footing, it had been taken away by Sonika and placed into the back of an empty goal, with less than two minutes remaining in the half.

India started the second half on the front foot as well and nearly found a third goal through Jyoti, but her attempted shot at a bouncing ball went just wide of the post to the left.

The Netherlands finally breached the Indian goal through a penalty stroke by Jansen, after her flick had deflected towards goal and struck Monika on the goal line.

With just a one-goal deficit to overcome in the final quarter, the Netherlands started the final 15 on the front foot, but once again the experienced Indian team frustrated their young counterparts with a disruptive press along the half-line.

The Dutch had a couple of chances and shots, but none too threatening, and were dealt with calmly by the experienced trio of Gurjit Kaur, Navjot Kaur and Savita.

The final three minutes that often get frantic in close games, were coolly handled by the Indian team as they kept hold of possession high in the Dutch half and the clock finally ran down, ending the Netherlands' long-winning run.

Navneet Kaur, playing in her 100th match for India won the player of the match award and said, "Happy with the 100th cap and really happy for the team for this impressive win, hopefully, we can do the same again tomorrow."

Dutch captain van Laarhoven said she was not too disappointed with the result, adding: "We are a young team so it will take a little time to find the right rhythm. We played well enough and just needed to convert more of the chances. Hopefully, we can do that tomorrow."

Both teams will be back in action on April 9 at the Kalinga Stadium.

(IANS)

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Shreya Ghoshal applauds 'Indian Idol 14' contestant's performance of 'Aye Mere Humsafar'

by Swati Sucharita

Mumbai, Nov 30: Singer and judge of 'Indian Idol 14', Shreya Ghoshal lauded the performance of Utkarsh Wankende and said that Nagpur is known for oranges, "but now, your name is attached to it as well."

This Saturday, the evergreen music-composer duo, Anand-Milind, will grace the stage of the singing reality show. Celebrating ‘Hits of Anand-Milind,’ the contestants will belt out their iconic chartbusters to impress judge Shreya Ghoshal and Shekhar Ravjiani, a guest judge for this weekend.

"Maharashtra ki Shaan" Utkarsh from Nagpur will captivate the judges and guests with his exceptional rendition of the song ‘Aye Mere Humsafar’ from the classic ‘Qayamat se Qayamat’, and ‘O Rabba Koi To Bataye’ from the movie ‘Sangeet.’

Shreya said: "Utkarsh, I recently returned from Nagpur and, let me tell you, the only voice I heard there was ‘Utkarsh!’. Everyone in your hometown is so proud of you. I feel so happy that you are gathering love from all over the country, especially your hometown. Nagpur is known for oranges, but now, your name is attached to it as well."

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Complimenting Utkarsh, Shekhar added: "You have a very beautiful and sweet voice. It is certainly a recording voice."

‘Indian Idol Season 14’ airs on Sony.

(IANS)

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by Hemanta Pande

Rourkela, Nov 30: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and laid the foundation stones for six projects at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) in Odisha on Thursday.

Together with Shri @jualoram laid the foundation stone for six projects and inaugurated a Kendriya Vidyalaya at @nitrourkela today to further strengthen the teaching, learning, innovation and skilling environment at the institution.

These projects, including hostels for boys… pic.twitter.com/bk7OX2ggWL — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 30, 2023

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “NIT Rourkela is making its own way through industrial collaboration bringing infrastructural development to the institute. These projects, including hostels for boys and girls, faculty residences, will boost capacities and make campus life more vibrant in line with the New Education Policy (NEP). More than 2500 students will benefit from the projects unveiled today."

According to official sources, NIT Rourkela allocated a 15-acre plot for both the boys' and girls' hostels. Presently, the institute plans to use half of the area for a boys' hostel with a capacity of 1000 and three fourth of the area for three girls' hostels, each with an accommodation capacity of 500 students.

Promoting sustainable practices on campus, the institute is constructing a 1.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and faculty residences, officials said.

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Sundargarh MP Jual Oram, Biramitrapur MLA Shankar Oram, Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and Director of NIT Rourkela Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao were, among others, present on the occasion.

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by Swati Sucharita

Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday distributed appointment letters to the 51,156 selected candidates via video conferencing in the Rozgar Mela. The Rozgar Mela was held at 37 locations in various States and Union territories all over the country.

Ministers of various departments participated in the Rozgar Mela. In Odisha's Bhubaneswar the Mela was organized at the Railway auditorium. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Minister Bishweswar Tudu participated in Odisha's Rozgar Mela and distributed 200 appointment letters to the newly inducted recruits.

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The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Government in various Ministries/Departments including Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Labour & Employment, among others.

Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation. Rozgar Mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development.

Hockey Pro League: Clinical India women's team defeats Netherlands 2-1 | Argus News

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