- India draw 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists Belgium 1-1.
- Harmanpreet Singh scored India’s goal in the 10th minute.
- Loick Luypert equalised for Belgium in the 59th minute.
- India play their final league stage match against Netherlands on Saturday.
India squandered a perfect start by conceding a late goal and were held to a 1-1 draw by 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists Belgium in their penultimate league stage game of the Hockey Champions Trophy.
India made too many slip-ups in their defence, giving away five PCs in the last quarter, eventually messing up their 1-0 lead as Loick Luypert (59’) converted Belgium's 10th attempt at a PC to equalise.
Harmanpreet Singh (10’) was India’s lone goal scorer that put Belgium on the back foot right at the start.
Sitting at the bottom of the pool table, Belgium were desperate for a win and they began with intent, playing aggressive and attacking hockey. India, meanwhile, built on their momentum steadily but tactfully. The first penalty corner won by them was taken by dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh and it resulted in another PC being awarded, the chance was capitalised by the 22-year-old as he powerfully flicked it past the Belgium goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
Ahead only by a goal, the final quarter was tense as Belgium began yet again with two back-to-back penalty corners but India defended well to steer clear. The ball, however, was largely controlled by the Belgians as they pushed for gaps in Indian defence. The 10th Belgian penalty corner finally resulted in a goal for Belgium. Loick Luypert kept it low to flick it towards Sreejesh’s right for a perfect equaliser in the 59th minute.
Belgium pushing for a winner ended up with yet another PC with just 32 seconds to go for the final hooter but Sreejesh survived this one to see the match end in a 1-1 draw, keeping India’s hopes alive for a place in the Final.
For a spot in the final, India must win their next match against Netherland on 30 June.
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