India vs Belgium, FIH Pro League hockey, Highlights: Sukhjeet equalises for 2-2 draw; BEL clinch bonus point | Hockey News
India vs Belgium FIH Pro League Highlights: India men’s hockey team bounced back after a difficult evening on Thursday to produce a strong performance against Olympic champions Belgium, fighting for a 2-2 draw at the FIH Pro League in Antwerp. Araijeet Singh Hundal gave India the lead but the hosts scored twice before Sukhjeet Singh scored a late equaliser. Belgium then clinched a shootout bonus point. Earlier, the Indian women’s team went down fighting 1-2 after an entertaining match againt Belgium, Sangita Kumari’s goal giving them hope but eventually not enough to force a draw or better.
On their road to Paris, Harmanpreet Singh’s men were dealt a serious reality check as reigning men’s hockey Olympic champions Belgium outplayed them for large parts to reger a thumping 4-1 win. Before that, the Indian men drew 2-2 against Argentina and then prevailing in the shootout for bonus point. Saturday’s draw comes at a timely juncture for them.
In the women’s hockey Pro League, Coach Harendra Singh’s new stint began with back-to-back defeats against Argentina and Belgium. But Salima Tete’s team did fare better against Belgium when they lost 0-2 courtesy two quick goals in the third quarter, a day after a 0-5 loss against Argentina. On Saturday, they showed further improvement and gave it a good go.
The Indian teams will play two more matches in the Antwerp mini tournament on Sunday, taking on Argentina, before finishing their season at the London leg immediately after.
Read more here Mihir Vasavda: Why Harmanpreet Singh & Co’s defeat against Belgium is a worrying sign ahead of Paris Olympics
And here’s a recap of the match against Argentina.
Scroll down for a recap of India vs Belgium hockey matches:
