Chandigarh: European Champions the Netherlands started their journey started their journey in the inaugural Punjab Gold Cup men's
hockey tournament on winning note, stunning arch-rival and Olympic Champion Germany 2-0.
The Dutch, who were playing in the absence of their star players Taeke Takeme and Teum De Noiijer, scored both their goals in the second half.
The Germans, who have decided to play some of their young players in the tournament, were dominated by the Netherlands right from the beginning of the match.
Though both the teams remained goalless in the first half, the Netherlands played some attacking hockey and got their first goal in the 42nd minute of the match as Lucas Judge made no mistake to net the ball off Roger Hofman.
The Dutch extended the lead when Jeroen Hertzberger capitalised on a penalty corner, with the winning team taking vital three points. The Germans got a penalty corner in the 56th minute, but failed to score.
Dutch team coach Michel Heuvel expressed satisfaction about his team's performance.
"We are trying some of our young players in the tournament and I am happy with their performance. We could have pumped another goal, but we slowed down a bit towards the end," he said after the match.
Heuvel said his team has decided to send Takeme and Noiijer back as they had been asked by Tournament Director Ramesh Appo that according to the rules they could have a squad of 18. The Dutch had brought a squad of 20 players.
He said the team had decided to send these two players back, who would be leaving the city on Saturday night.
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