Hockey, FIH Pro League, India vs Belgium as it happened: Men’s team held; women’s team lose
A recap of from the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams’ FIH Pro League matches against Belgium.
Results: India women 1-2 Belgium women; India men 2 (1)-(3) 2 Belgium men
Follow Scroll.in’s coverage of Indian hockey here.
Hockey, FIH Pro League: With new coach, captain at helm, Indian women’s team look towards new era
Hockey, FIH Pro League: Indian men’s team get ready to fine-tune Paris squad in Europe leg
That’s it from us tonight! Do join us tomorrow at 3.15pm IST for the Indian men’s and women’s final matches in Belgium. Goodnight!
FT, IND 2 (1)-(3) 2 BEL, Araijeet Singh Hundal: It was a fair result. Both teams had chances to score. It is a part of the game. We did very well, came with a good structure and good energy.
Penalty Shootout, IND 1-3 BEL: Vivek Sagar Prasad hits the post. Vanasch had given up on the attempt after being drawn too far off his goal. However, Prasad could only curl the ball onto the post!
Penalty Shootout, IND 1-3 BEL: Once again Sreejesh had a glove on Ghislain’s shot but not enough to prevent the ball from looping into goal.
Penalty Shootout, IND 1-2 BEL: Van Aubel, scorer of Belgium’s second goal, makes no mistake. Abhishek up next for India. Shuffles and backs into Vanasch. Shifts to the right as Vanasch goes to his knees. Abhishek shoots but Vanasch saves.
Penalty Shootout, IND 1-1 BEL: Arthur de Sloover tries to surprise Sreejesh by slapping the ball as soon as he entered the circle. Sreejesh makes an easy save. Sukhjeet steps up and puts India on the board in the shootout.
Penalty Shootout, IND 0-1 BEL: Vanasch saves! Hundal had two cracks at goal but the Belgian stood tall and denied him.
Penalty Shootout, IND 0-1 BEL: Gauthier Boccard steps up, takes his time and goes for a reverse hit. Sreejesh groans as the ball took a touch off his goal and looped into goal.
FT, India 2-2 Belgium: A nice moment as Sreejesh and Vanasch laugh along as they make their way to the goal.
FT, India 2-2 Belgium: The hooter goes for the end of the match! An exciting match ends in a draw, India’s sixth of the season and Belgium’s first. Onto the penalty shootout we go!
Q4, India 2-2 Belgium: Horrible execution of the PC from India! Abhishek did well to win a PC with 95 seconds left. India went for a variation with Harmanpreet changing the angle to the left and passing the ball to Mandeep Singh. It’s not done properly and Belgium counter. Raj Kumar Pal did well to make the tackle and end the attack.
Q4, India 2-2 Belgium: India equalise! A minute after his error nearly led to a third Belgian goal, Harmanpreet Singh creates the goal that hauls his side level. Good stickwork from the Indian captain as he makes his way into the circle. Creates space and slaps it at goal where Sukhjeet Singh beat Vanasch to put it in the back of the goal!
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: A rare defensive error from Harmanpreet Singh and Belgium hit on the counter. Antoine Kina goes on a lung-busting rung into the shooting circle and shoots. Too close to Sreejesh who makes the save.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: Belgium take the lead! Hendrickx drag flick is straight at Sreejesh. The Indian keeper makes the save but the ball is up in the air as two Indians and two Belgians scramble to get it. Florent van Aubel is the quickest to react and pokes the ball past Sanjay and Sreejesh.
Q4, India 1-1 Belgium: Belgium win a PC but Sumit reviews straightaway. Looks like there will be no advice possible. Yep, PC call stays and India keep their referral.
Q4, India 1-1 Belgium: And off we go in the final quarter. India attack straightaway with Sukhjeet finding himself in a great position only to see the ball taken away from him.
Q3, India 1-1 Belgium: Another good save from Vanasch to deny India a good goal. A long pass from deep and Abhishek plays it on towards the centre of goal. Shamsher Singh makes the run and deflects it towards the bottom corner only for Vanasch to dive in and make the save with his stick.
Q3, India 1-1 Belgium: A couple of half chances for both side and nothing else so far. And just as I type that, Manpreet is caught napping as John-John Dohmen intercepts an Indian pass and plays it to William Ghislain. The Belgian sets himself up and fires the ball but gets his angles all wrong. India survive.
Q3, India 1-1 Belgium: Belgium get the second half underway and they almost score immediately. The ball is fired in goalwards where Onana whacks it hard. Manpreet Singh slid and looks like he caught some part of the ball or the stick on his body. Nothing serious as he jumps back up. India have brought on PR Sreejesh in goal for the third quarter.
HT, India 1-1 Belgium, Craig Fulton: It was a good start. The challenge with this kind of performance is to manage the third quarter well.
HT, India 1-1 Belgium: Belgium score and it is Felix Denayer once again! Belgium win their first PC of the match. Alexander Hendrickx’s drag flick is saved by Pathak but he is unable to deal with the loose ball. Denayer is at hand to gently poke the ball past Pathak and into goal. Belgium find the leveller right at the stroke of halftime!
Q2, India 1-0 Belgium: Vanasch with another stunning save! India hit on the counter with Shamsher Singh firing the ball across the circle. Hundal dives in to deflect the ball into the back of the net. Vanashc instinctively puts his stick out and pulls off a superb save!
Q2, India 1-0 Belgium: Abhishek hits the post! Superb move from India as they move from midfield to attack in one move. Harmanpreet spots Sukhjeet’s run and slaps the ball ahead. Sukhjeet deflects it onto Abhishek’s path. He jockeys and creates space for himself before smacking the ball with all his might. Vanasch does not have any time to react but the ball cannons off the post.
Q2, India 1-0 Belgium: Mandeep Singh wins India a PC. Even though Harmanpreet Singh is on the pitch, it is Jugraj Singh who is on drag flick duty. He goes hard and straight at Vanasch who saves it with his glove. It rebounded high and India get another PC. Jugraj takes it again but it cannons back of the first rusher’s knee. Not good from Jugraj. Went high and straight both times.
Q2, India 1-0 Belgium: Three long slaps from India and they open Belgium up! Sumit to Manpreet, Manpreet to Jarmanpreet and the latter slaps it towards the circle. Abhishek looks to deflect it goalwards but cannot get the required touch.
Q2, India 1-0 Belgium: A very good first quarter performance from India. They took their time to settle in but once they did, regularly threatened Vanasch in the Belgium goal. Sets up a nice second quarter with the home fans backing their side.
Q1, India 1-0 Belgium: What a save from Pathak! Cedric Charlier’s shot was destine for the back of the goal but Pathak puts a spectacular dive to deny the Belgian. Nelson Onana had the chance to turn in the rebound but fluffs his line.
Q1, India 1-0 Belgium: Hundal scores! Superb playmaking from Sukhjeet Singh to set up the goal. Lovely soft hands to bring down a high ball played towards the left of the goal. He still has a lot to do as he beats a couple of defenders to create space before shooting. Vanasch is beaten for pace as Hundal has the easiest of tap ins.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: Another good save from Vanasch to keep the match goalless! Abhishek gets a free hit at goal and absolutely leathers the ball at goal. It is straight at Vanasch though.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: Lovely 3D skills from Sanjay as he makes his way into the circle and he is stick checked winning a PC. Harmanpreet goes low and to the left but Vincent Vanasch makes a good save.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: It has been an even start to the match so far with both sides getting a couple of circle entries without really troubling the opposite defence.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: PR Sreejesh starts on the bench tonight with Krishan Bahadur Pathak starting in the Indian goal. We’ll also see young forward Araijeet Singh Hundal in action tonight.
India vs Belgium, Craig Fulton: It was disappointing. We weren’t efficient in the attack. Also lack of PCs [hurt] because we are very good at PCs.
India vs Belgium: Welcome back to our coverage of the FIH Pro League. India take on reigning Olympic champions aiming to get their first win of their ongoing European tour. Two days ago, these two sides met with Belgium winning 4-1 on the night. Craig Fulton will be hoping for a good response tonight.
India vs Belgium: The Indian and Belgium men’s teams will be in action in about 30 minutes. I’ll be back after a quick break. Stick around!
FT, India 1-2 Belgium: A much improved performance from India today. Given the chances they missed, India would consider themselves unlucky to not have come away with at least a point. Positive signs nonetheless.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: With 40 seconds on the clock, Deepika is fouled right on the edge of the circle. Camille Belis is shown the green card even as Deepika asks for PC. She’s told that the foul was just outside. India press on with Picard doing well to deny Sangita a late equaliser.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: With less than two minutes to go, India take off Savita and will play with 11 outfield players.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: Another big chance goes begging for India! Good run by Baljeet Kaur down the right and she puts it towards Deepika. She has a good sight of goal but drags her shot well wide off the goal.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: Belgium win another PC with just over five minutes left. Ballenghien once again goes for the right but puts it on the wrong side of the post.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: Belgium go from employing a full court press to a 60-40 press. Chance for India to be patient and create something.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: India spurn a good chance to level the match! Route one hockey with a ball straight from defence to attack. Preeti Dubey loses ball but Sangita forces the ball off the Belgian defender and Deepika takes over. She only has Picard to bat and goes for a reverse hit. Picard saves with her right boot. Sangita and Preeti both go for the rebound and end up putting it just wide off the post.
Q4, India 1-2 Belgium: A slight delay to restart the game as an Indian fan had made his way onto the turf and was dancing. The audience did not mind him one bit despite his questionable dance moves. Belgium finally get the final quarter started.
End of Q3, India 1-2 Belgium: A good quarter for India with Sangita scoring her side’s first goal in their European tour. Belgium once again dictated play but India did just enough to keep the score 1-2.
Q3, India 1-2 Belgium: Belgium with sustained possession in the Indian third. Savita makes a good save to deny Ballenghien at close range.
Q3, India 1-2 Belgium: Sangita Kumari scores! India beat the Belgium press nicely with Deepika now having time and space to pick her pass. She fires the ball ahead where it takes a touch off a Belgian player and is deflected on to Sangita’s path on the right channel. It looked like Kumari had lost the chance as she looked to steady herself. However, from an acute angle, she fires the ball across Picard into goal. India have their first goal in Antwerp!
Q3, India 1-2 Belgium: Sangita Kumari scores! India beat the Belgium press nicely with Deepika now having time and space to pick her pass. She fires the ball ahead where it takes a touch off a Belgian player and is deflected on to Sangita’s path on the right channel. It looked like Kumari had lost the chance as she looked to steady herself. However, from an acute angle, she fires the ball across Picard into goal. India have their first goal in Antwerp!
Q3, India 0-2 Belgium: Savita Punia is back in the Indian goal as Belgium gets the second half underway.
HT, India 0-2 Belgium, Harendra Singh: We created chances but we weren’t clinical enough. You have to position yourself correctly in the circle when you create chances.
HT, India 0-2 Belgium: India win possession inside the Belgian half and quickly play the ball in. The pass hits a Belgian foot but the umpire gives India the advantage as Lalrmesiami continues the move. However, she cannot make anything out of it as Belgium end the move. Not a great decision by Lalremsiami. With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, India could have devoted more players for the PC to try and pull a goal back. Instead, they go into the break down 0-2.
Q2, India 0-2 Belgium: What a miss by Versavel! Delphine Marien came down the right and spotted Versavel bang in front of goal and played the pass. Bichu dove for the ball but missed it completely. Versavel only needed to defect the ball into goal but misses the ball. India escape.
Q2, India 0-2 Belgium: India denied a goal by Picard! Salima Tete slalomed down the right channel and found herself with clear sight of goal inside the circle. She goes for the top corner but Picard is quick to react and saves it with her stick. A very good save that.
Q2, India 0-2 Belgium: Belgium double their advantage! A contentious goal that from a penalty corner. Louise Versavel’s drag flick was blocked by India’s first rusher. The ball came to Vanessa Blockmans who took a touch before firing the ball through Bichu’s legs into goal. Ishika Chaudhary reviewed immediately. It looked like Versavel’s initial attempt was blocked at knee height, which meant that the goal would have been chalked off for dangerous play. However, the TV umpire didn’t think so and stays with the on-field call. India lose their review.
Q2, India 0-1 Belgium: A change in the Indian goal as Bichu Devi Kharibam comes in place of Savita Punia.
End of Q1, India 0-1 Belgium: The hosts take the lead right at the end of the quarter! Ambre Ballenghien wins the first penalty corner of the match. The injection goes to her in the second batter and Ballenghien fires the ball into the bottom corner past Navneet Kaur at the post. It was a well-taken drag flick from Ballenghien with Navneet Kaur not even able to see the ball.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: Lovely interplay between Lalremsiami, Jyoti Chhatri and Sharmila Devi to get past the high Belgian press. India attack and Sharmila gets the ball back in the circle near the goalline. She tries to find a teammate but instead loses the ball and Belgian come away with the ball.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: A rare Indian foray into the Belgian half and Deepika Soreng fashions a good chance. She spots Mumtaz Khan alone in the circle and reverse hits a pass. Khan, from an acute angle, shoots but it’s saved comfortably by goalkeeper Elodie Picard.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: Savita Punia finally called into action as India lose possession deep in their own half. Louise Dewaet protects the ball from two defenders and then plays a pass goalwards. Ambre Ballenghim gets to it but her attempt is smothered by Savita at close range.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: Belgium pressing very high and not allowing India to play out from the back. The visitors haven’t even been able to come out of their own half.
Q1, India 0-0 Belgium: And off we go! Belgium attack straightaway and mark their first entry into the Indian circle. Good defensive work from India to prevent the Belgian attackers from having any attempts on goal.
India vs Belgium: India haven’t beaten Belgium in their last seven meetings. They were encouraging signs last time around as they kept the hosts at an arm length for extended periods of time. India will need to sort out their attack though this time around.
India vs Belgium, Harendra Singh: That match was within our reach. We switched off for five minutes in the second half and they scored twice. I think we can win three points today.
Here's Team India's starting XI ready to face off against Team Belgium. 🇮🇳🏑
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 25, 2024
Game on! 💙#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #FIHProLeague24 #IndiaWomensTeam
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.@CMO_Odisha @FIH_Hockey@sports_odisha @IndiaSports@Media_SAI @Limca_Official@CocaCola_Ind pic.twitter.com/dBVMrRz5xm
Hello and welcome to Scroll’s coverage of the 2023-24 FIH Pro League matches in Antwerp, Belgium.
It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Indian men’s and women’s teams’ European leg of the Pro League. While the men’s team drew against Argentina and lost to Belgium, the women’s team has lost both its matches against Argentina and Belgium.
In their last meeting on Thursday, the women’s team played well but two quick-fire goals in the third quarter consigned them to a 0-2 defeat. On the other hand, the men’s team were at the receiving end of a 1-4 loss to a Belgium side who were looking to bounce back from a shock loss to Ireland.
🚨 Match Day Alert! India 🇮🇳 vs Belgium 🇧🇪
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 25, 2024
Get ready for an exciting day of field hockey as both the Indian Women's and Men's teams take on Belgium in the FIH Pro League 2023/24 Europe Leg!🏑
📍 Venue: Antwerp, Belgium
🕒 Women's Match: 5:30 PM IST
🕕 Men's Match: 7:45 PM IST… pic.twitter.com/JmdFNCgTAW
Indian women’s squad
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita Duhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary
Midfielders: Salima Tete (Captain), Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet Kaur (Vice captain), Neha Goyal, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Lalremsiami
Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng
Indian men’s squad
Goalkeepers: Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Sanjay, Vishnukant Singh
Midfielders: Hardik Singh (vice captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen
Forwards: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Boby Singh Dhami