Sandeep Singh got 2 fine goals

New Delhi: India held off a late charge from Holland to win their opening encounter 4-3 in the four-nation junior hockey tournament in Bilbao, Spain.

According to information received here, Sandeep Singh’s two brilliant drag-flick penalty corner conversions guided India to the fine victory. V. Raja and Dhananjay Mahadik slammed the other goals for the world champions.

Hosts Spain thrashed Chile 6-1 in another game.

Sandeep scored in the fifth minute before Holland equalised through a field goal taking advantage of a defensive lapse. But Mahadik’s goal in the 25th minute ensured that India went to the half-time with a 2-1 lead.

Two quick goals after the break put India in the driver’s seat against their formidable European rivals.

Trailing 1-4, Holland made a last ditch effort putting a lot of pressure on the Indian defence with some incisive moves.

The Indian defence cracked under pressure as Holland scored twice in the last 10 minutes ? both through penalty corners ? in the face of some poor work by William Xalco and Mahadik.

(PTI)