MCT 2016 India M.No 3: Lacklustre India gives life to Belgium
Speedy Sunil subdued, precise goalie Sreejesh flawed, erratic defence punished, as India went down 1-2 to struggling Belgium, throwing knock-out doors open for every team.
Hyped up India was brought down to reality at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre today by the Red Lions.
Lacklustre India breathed life into struggling Belgium on their third encounter in London Champions Trophy. Despite a freak but entertaining equalizer goal from Devinder Walmiki coming seconds before half time, India conceded the initiative thereafter to the rival, who went on to accumulate penalty corner after penalty corner, the victory for them was coming anytime.
Belgium obtained its breakthrough goal with a penalty corner conversion in the 25th minute through Hendricks. The ball went in after getting deflected from Sreejesh’s pads. This goal spurred the Red Lions of their immediate agenda of posting first win in three matches. It came true with an immaculate low angle, acute goal from Truyens in the 43rd minute.
Tentative India conceded four penalty corners to Belgium in the first half. They showed better aptitude in attack. Hendricks’ feat came after Belgium missed many sure shot goals to good goalkeeping, and once due to quicksilver blocking by Kothajit.
Seconds before half time, Sunil sprinted past from right flank, before he was dead tripped there. The ball was picked up, and a shot at goal made. Goalie blocked and the ball travelled top of D where lurking Devinder Walmiki bent as much as he could and effected s push for the equalizer (1-1)
India, despite error prone, returned to pavilion with a 1-1. goaline
After lemon time, India conceded two quick penalty corners before getting a couple for them. Raghu tried both times, but his flicks lacked patented venom.
Stats: Before this match, India played against Belgium only twice in the annals of Champions Trophy, both were quarterfinals. India defeated Belgium at Bhubneswar. Rupinder Pal Singh, Dharmvir Singh and Akashdeep Singh and SK Utthappa struck a goal apiece.