FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian men lose 7th match in a row, go down 3-6 to Belgium
Indian men's hockey team's dismal run in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–5 continued as it fell to a 3-6 defeat against Belgium in Antwerp on Saturday.
A brace from Arthur Van Doren and goals from Alexander Hendrickx, Roman Duvekot, Thibeau Stockbroekx and Tom Boon scripted the triumph for Belgium.
India conceded within the first minute when Belgium won two penalty corners within the first 20 seconds of play. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera stopped Alexander Hendrickx's drag-flick, but Arthur Van Doren pounced on the rebound to give the host the lead.
READ | Indian women's team still without win in European leg, stumbles against Belgium
Belgium's fast start pushed India on the back foot, with the visitor struggling to hold possession or build momentum. Towards the end of the quarter, India began to assert itself in the contest. However, against the run of play, Belgium doubled its lead when Alexander Hendrickx converted a penalty corner just before half-time.
India found respite in the third quarter when it was awarded two consecutive penalty corners. On the second attempt, Jugraj Singh's drag-flick was blocked by the Belgian defence, but Dilpreet reacted swiftly, smashing in the rebound from a tight angle to reduce the deficit.
Moments later, Vivek Sagar Prasad played the ball into a dangerous area, where Mandeep Singh's touch took a deflection off Van Doren before sneaking into the goal to make it 2–2 and complete a spirited comeback. India remained tenacious in its pursuit of a third, and another penalty corner saw Sanjay narrowly miss his mark.
India suffered a fatal blow early in the final quarter when Roman Duvekot squeezed it in from close range following a skilful run from Tom Boon, reclaiming the lead after a penalty corner. Belgium struck again following an impressive run from Victor Foubert that set up Thibeau Stockbroekx for a simple finish.
India's woes continued as Arthur Van Doren's venomous strike from inside the circle deflected off Amit Rohidas and popped into the back of the net to make it 5–2.
India refused to give in, and the contest was far from over as Amit Rohidas converted a crucial penalty corner to pull one back for the visitors. However, in the final few minutes, Tom Boon scored Belgium's sixth to complete a comprehensive victory.
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