India stun defending Champions Belgium in a thrilling contest
Indian men’s hockey team stunned Champions Belgium in their
second match of the Pro Hockey League 2020 played at Kalinga Stadium,
Bhuvneshwar on Saturday.
It was an ideal start for the Indian team as a brilliant
deflection shot by Mandeep Singh in the 2nd minute gave a 1-0 lead.
After the goal, Belgium played attacking hockey putting the Indian defence
under pressure with penalty corners. In the 8th minute, Belgium
earned 3 successive penalty corners. The 3rd penalty corner was well
saved by Krishnan Pathak. At the end of first quarter, India led 1-0.
In the 2nd quarter, Belgium attacked right from
word go and put the pressure on the Indian defence. P Sreejesh was superb with
gloves saving so many goals. In the 20th minute, Ramandeep Singh
missed a golden chance to score a goal which was well saved by Belgium
goalkeeper. Sreejesh continued to be saving grace and made lot of saves. At the
end of first half India were 1-0.
Belgium missed a golden chance to score a goal in the 31st
minute of the game when Van Aubel could hit a shot from deflection. In the 33rd
minute, Boccard scored from a penalty corner which levelled the score at 1-1.
After that goal, India were aggressive with their play earning their first
penalty corner in the 34th minute but could not convert. The Indian
team had gained back the possession but was not able to gain into goals. In 41st
minute, Mandeep Singh was awarded goal but on review the decision was
overturned as Mandeep Singh collected outside the D. Both teams had chances of
scoring the goals but could not do it. Belgium got a golden chance to score a
goal but was well saved by Krishnan Pathak. At the end of third quarter, the
scores were level at 1-1.
India got off to perfect start in the fourth quarter as
Ramandeep Singh scored a brilliant deflection goal in the 46th
minute to make it 2-1 in favour of hosts. Belgium attackers put tremendous
pressure on the Indian defence with lots of attack. Both teams had chance of
scoring a goal but could not do it. In the 58th minute, Belgium
earned another penalty corner but was well saved by P Sreejesh. After few
seconds, Rupinder Pal Singh hit PC wide. Before the final hooter, Belgium
earned penalty corner which was well saved by P Sreejesh. India defeated World
Champions by 2-1 in a thrilling encounter.
The 2nd leg will be played tomorrow.
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| India stun Belgium in the first leg of Pro Hockey League |
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