Sydney: Only disappointment came India's way as Netherlands' trademark orange was draped over the International Hockey Federation (IHF) Player of the Year awards, with three Dutch players claiming the honours at the presentation ceremony in Sydney.

Despite some impressive performance in the run up to the awards ceremony held in Sydney yesterday (Dec 5, 2003) five Indians in the fray – Prabhjot Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh, Jugraj Singh (all in young men's category) and Dilip Tirkey and Devesh Chauhan (senior section) – were brushed aside even as the Dutch took home three of the four awards.

Dutch forward Teun de Nooijer bagged the senior's award while compatriots Mijntje Donners and Maartje Scheepstra claimed the best senior woman and young woman player awards.

The lone non-Dutch to win the award was Australian striker Grant Schubert who was adjudged the best young player.

PTI