India walked out in saffron. The Netherlands played in blue
1 side and three-time defending champions for long periods. The Netherlands eventually won 2-0 in the first match of the second round at the packed Wagner Stadium. The Indian goalkeepers and defenders, who had saved 12 penalty corners in the previous match against England, prevented the world No. 1 team from playing freely at the packed Wagner Stadium, and the co-hosts could not score a single field goal.
For decades, blue has been the colour most closely linked with Indian sport. Across disciplines, Indian teams have worn blue while representing the country on the international stage. But ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, Hockey India unveiled a new saffron jersey for both the men’s and women’s teams last month. On the same blue turf where India had argued blue jerseys reduced visibility. Perhaps the Dutch did not have the same visibility concerns. Veteran goalkeeper Savita led the backline as India restricted the world No. Both goals came from penalty corners, while India did not concede a field goal.
However, in India women’s first match of the second round of the FIH World Cup againt the co-hosts Netherlands on Friday in Amstelveen, India walked out in saffron, while the Netherlands played in blue. Meanwhile, in the match on Friday, Indian women’s hockey team produced a disciplined defensive performance against the hosts.