India, Aug. 22 -- Near the centre of the pitch, Jorrit Croon stretched out to intercept a loose pass, five minutes from the final hooter. Then he charged forward, shrugging off the challenge of experienced India defender Amit Rohidas. A quick look to his left and he sent a measured low cross to an unmarked Thijs van Dam.

The first touch got the ball into the circle. The second - with a hint of showboating - was a little dink over the onrushing Indian goalkeeper HS Mohith. And then came the finish into an open goal.

That finish wrapped up co-hosts Netherlands' 3-1 win over India in the Hockey World Cup second group stage fixture on Saturday. And the final goal served perhaps as that one moment of play best summarising the well-attended m...