Tokyo Olympics 2020: Indian men’s hockey team goes down fighting

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 The Indian men’s hockey team played their hearts out before losing to World Champions Belgium in the first semi-finals played at Oi Hockey Stadium, North Pitch on Tuesday.

World Champions Belgium got off to a perfect start as Luepart converted the penalty corner in the 2nd minute to give them 1-0 lead. The Indian team then put pressure on Belgium earning 2 penalty corners. The second penalty corner was converted by Harmanpreet Singh in the 7th minute to level scores at 1-1. In the very next minute, Mandeep Singh produced a superb reverse flick in circle helping the Indian team take lead. Soon after, the Indian team put pressure on Belgium defense earning another penalty corner, but this time failed. At end of the first quarter, India took a 2-1 lead.

It was an aggressive beginning in the 2nd quarter as Belgium put enough pressure on the Indian defense. After the initial attack by Belgium, India put some pressure, but Belgium defended brilliantly. Hendricks equalized the score in the 19th minute with a powerful drag-flick. Both teams made attacking moves but did not convert them into goals. At the end of the first half, scores level at 2-2.

India started the 3rd quarter on an aggressive note earning penalty corners but Belgium's defense was solid enough to deny them a goal. Both teams defense remained solid and denied each other goals. Harmapreet Singh missed a penalty corner shot going wide. At the end of the third quarter, scores level at 2-2.

It was a terrible start for the Indian team as Manpreet Singh was awarded a green card resulting in 10 players. Belgium took advantage of it by earning three successive penalty corners. Amit Rohidas saved the first one while P Sreejesh denied them the goal. Alexander Hendricks converted a powerful shot in the 49th minute to give Belgium a 3-2 lead. Belgium put enough pressure on the Indian defense as they earned penalty corners in succession.  

Things got worst for the Indian team as Belgium was awarded a penalty stroke. Hendricks converted a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute to help World Champions double their lead. Indian team decided to take P Sreejesh out. John-John Dohmen produced a simple goal in the 60th minute to help Belgium win the match by 5-2.

The Indian team conceded lots of penalty corners. Manpreet Singh green card made lots of difference and Belgium played aggressive hockey. Now they will fight for the bronze medal against the loser of Germany and Australia on 5th August.

 


India lose to Belgium in the semi-finals to fight for the bronze medal 

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