India beat Belgium 4-3 in 2nd Test

India beat Belgium 4-3 in the second men’s hockey Test match at Braxgata, Boom today to level the three match series.

India had lost 3-6 to their opponents yesterday.

The goal scorers for India were Hari Prasad (8th), Sandeep Singh (32nd and 64th) and Rajpal Singh (55th minute), while Belgium scored through Tom Boon (4th), Cedric Charlier (11th) and Jeff Thys (18th minute).

India who trailed 2-3 at the breather brought back goalkeeper Adrian D’souza, Sardar Singh, Rajpal singh,Gurvinder Chandi and Bharat Chhikara in the starting lineup. Skipper Sandeep Singh was also fielded for the first time after his recovery from a flu bout.

The game began on an aggressive note as India tried to break the ice in the second minute but Chandi’s attempt was padded away by Belgium custodian Vincent.

Belgium earned their first penalty corner two minutes later as Sardar Singh playing as the freeman committed a defensive error. The resultant flick struck VS Vinaya leading to a penalty stroke which was converted by Boon to give Belgium the lead.

India fought back but attempts for the equaliser from SV Sunil and Shivendra Singh were off target.

However in the 8th minute Hari Prasad found the mark deflecting home from a Shivendra set up to make it 1-1.

Belgium were back on their toes and sparkled with off the ball running and overlaps. Their efforts soon paid dividends as a faulty clearance by Sandeep Singh was intercepted by Charlier who beat D’souza from the top of the circle to give Belgium the lead again.

The tally was further increased in the 18th minute after Jeff Thys got past Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh and beat D’souza low to his right.

India regrouped themselves and initiated onslaughts to reduce the margin. However penetrations from Sunil and Rajpal Singh bore no fruit as Belgium captain Xavier Reckinger and Vincent stood tall.

However India scored their second goal in the 32nd minute when Sandeep Singh sank a penalty corner to the right of Vincent.

Bharat Chhikara missed an open chance immediately after the break when he failed to latch to a Rajpal cross.

India, in the hunt for the equaliser, again lost an opportunity midway in the second half when Chandi missed after a Sunil setup,
but Rajpal Singh made amends as he flicked past Vincent from a penalty corner in the 55th minute.

India’s match winner came from their last penalty corner after Chandi was fouled in the 64th minute. Sandeep Singh fired home with aplomb to give India the 4-3 victory.

The third and final Test shall be played at Braxgata tomorrow.

Courtesy: Hockey India Media Release