Belgium Beat India in Women's FIH Pro League with 5–1 Victory

Image Credit: FIH

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team suffered a 1–5 defeat at the hands of Belgium in their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 fixture on Saturday. Despite an encouraging start, where Deepika opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Belgium came back strongly to dominate the game, converting five penalty corners in a clinical display.

India found themselves under immediate pressure as Belgium earned a penalty corner within the opening minute. Savita Punia was called into action early, pulling off a crucial save to deny the hosts. India then sat deep and defended resolutely, looking for chances to counterattack.

That opportunity came in the sixth minute. India earned their first penalty corner from their very first circle entry, and Deepika’s effort took a deflection off a Belgian stick, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and putting India 1–0 up.

Belgium responded with sustained pressure, keeping possession and forcing errors in India’s half. While India’s defence held firm in the second quarter — with key interventions from Vaishnavi and Bichu Devi — Belgium continued to create chances, particularly through set-pieces.

The third quarter marked a turning point. Belgium’s dominance in possession eventually paid off, with Hélène Brasseur equalising from their eleventh penalty corner of the match. Minutes later, Lucie Breyne added a second, giving Belgium the lead for the first time.

India struggled to find answers in the final phase. Although they made efforts to regain control through flank play, Belgium tightened their defence and pressed higher. In the final ten minutes, the home side extended their lead further — Ambre Ballenghien, Brasseur again, and Charlotte Englebert all scored in quick succession, the last coming from a penalty stroke.

Belgium beat India in the Women’s FIH Pro League with superior execution on penalty corners — converting five of their seventeen chances. For India, the result offers lessons in game management and defensive organisation against a high-pressing opponent.