The Indian defence crumbled within the dying minutes of the match as they conceded just a few penalty corners. File
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
India conceded a late goal to lose 1-2 in opposition to Olympic champions Belgium in a keenly-contested FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League match right here on Friday.
All the objectives within the match got here via penalty corners.
It was world no.2 Belgium who took the lead within the 18th minute via Thibeau Stockbroekx earlier than India equalised through Mandeep Singh within the twenty fifth minute.
But the Indian defence crumbled within the dying minutes of the match as they conceded just a few penalty corners, one in all which was transformed by Nelson Onana (sixtieth minute).
The match was even-stevens until the ultimate hooter with each the groups matching one another.
India obtained the primary probability within the fifth minute however Hardik Singh’s effort from prime of the circle was saved by an agile Belgium goalkeeper Loic van Doren together with his prolonged left hand.
Seconds from the primary quarter Belgium earned a penalty nook nevertheless it was defended effectively by the Indian backline.
Belgium secured back-to-back penalty corners within the 18th minute and Stockbroekx broke the impasse from the second probability, deflecting in Loïck Luypaert’s feed after India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made a double save.
It took India seven minutes to draw parity via an opportunist Mandeep who tapped dwelling from a rebound after skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s flick from a penalty nook was saved by the Belgian defence.
Two minutes into the third quarter Belgium secured one other set piece however failed to utilise it.
Harmanpreet’s flick from a penalty nook minutes later was saved by van Doren.
In the forty fifth minute, Belgium secured one other penalty nook however the Indians defended in numbers.
Four minutes into the ultimate quarter, Belgium earned one other set piece and this time Sreejesh got here to India’s rescue.
India too had just a few nice probabilities to take the lead however Sukhjeet Singh and Gurjant Singh’s efforts had been saved by the Belgian custodian.
The Indian crumbled underneath Belgium’s relentless stress within the ultimate minute of the sport and conceded back-to-back penalty corners, the second of which was put into goal by Onana from a rebound after Sreejesh made the preliminary save.
India will tackle hosts Great Britain of their second match of the Europe leg of the Pro League right here on Saturday.
