Belgium Beat India 6-3 in FIH Pro League Match

Image Credit: FIH

 The Indian Men’s Hockey Team went down 3–6 against a clinical Belgian side in an action-packed encounter at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 (Men) on Saturday. Despite a spirited comeback led by goals from Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas, the home side’s attacking prowess proved too much for the visitors in the end.

The contest began in dramatic fashion as Belgium struck inside the first minute. With barely 20 seconds on the clock, they earned back-to-back penalty corners. Although Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera did well to keep out Alexander Hendrickx’s initial drag-flick, Arthur Van Doren was quick to react, slotting in the rebound to give the hosts an early lead.

Rattled by the early setback, India struggled to settle into the rhythm of the game. Belgium, meanwhile, capitalised on their fast start, maintaining possession and applying relentless pressure. India slowly began to regain their footing towards the end of the opening quarter, but Belgium doubled their advantage just before the halftime break when Hendrickx converted another penalty corner with precision.

India, known for their resilience, responded strongly in the third quarter. A pair of penalty corners opened the door for a revival. Jugraj Singh’s drag-flick was blocked, but Dilpreet Singh reacted sharply to bury the rebound from a tight angle, halving the deficit. Moments later, Vivek Sagar Prasad delivered a teasing ball into the Belgian circle. Mandeep Singh got the faintest of touches, and with a bit of fortune, the ball deflected off Van Doren and rolled past the goalkeeper to bring India level at 2–2.

With momentum on their side, India pushed forward in search of a third goal. Sanjay came close from a penalty corner but was denied. However, Belgium wrested back control in the final quarter.

Roman Duvekot restored the lead for Belgium in the 49th minute, capitalising on Tom Boon’s driving run. The floodgates opened soon after. Victor Foubert's dazzling dribble carved open the Indian defence, and Thibeau Stockbroekx was at hand to finish clinically for Belgium’s fourth. Van Doren added his second of the match, his powerful strike taking a cruel deflection off Amit Rohidas to wrong-foot Karkera in goal.

India refused to go quietly. Rohidas pulled one back with a well-placed penalty corner in the 56th minute, giving India a glimmer of hope. Substitute Rajinder Singh came close to narrowing the margin further, only to be denied by Arthur De Sloover’s goal-line save. But Belgium had the final say, with Tom Boon finding the back of the net in the dying minutes to seal a comprehensive win.