NEW DELHI: India suffered a 1-2 defeat against Olympic champions Belgium in a closely contested FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League match in London. All the goals were scored through penalty corners. Belgium ranked second in the world, took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from Thibeau Stockbroekx. However, India equalized in the 25th minute through Mandeep Singh’s goal. The match remained evenly poised until the final minutes when the Indian defense faltered and conceded a few penalty corners. In the 60th minute, Belgium’s Nelson Onana converted one of these penalty corners, securing victory for his team.
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Both teams displayed strong performances throughout the game, matching each other in skills and gameplay. India had an early opportunity in the fifth minute, but Belgium goalkeeper Loic van Doren made an impressive save to deny Hardik Singh’s shot from the top of the circle.
Towards the end of the first quarter, Belgium earned a penalty corner, which was effectively defended by the Indian backline.
Despite the loss, India showcased their competitive spirit against the reigning Olympic champions. This set the stage for further exciting FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League encounters.
Belgium secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 18th minute and Stockbroekx broke the deadlock on the second chance, deflecting in Loïck Luypaert’s feed after India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a double save.
It took India seven minutes to draw parity through Mandeep who tapped home from a rebound. This was after the Belgian defense saved skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s flick from a penalty corner.
Two minutes into the third quarter Belgium secured another set piece but failed to utilize it.
Harmanpreet’s flick from a penalty corner minutes later was saved by van Doren.
In the 45th minute, Belgium secured another penalty corner but the Indians defended in numbers.
Four minutes into the final quarter, Belgium earned another set piece and this time Sreejesh came to India’s rescue.
India too had a few great chances to take the lead but Sukhjeet Singh and Gurjant Singh’s efforts were saved by the Belgian custodian.
The Indian crumbled under Belgium’s relentless pressure in the final minute of the game and conceded back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was put into the goal by Onana from a rebound after Sreejesh made the initial save.
India will take on hosts Great Britain in their second match of the Pro League Europe leg on Saturday.
