Salta: India spanked Belgium 4-2 in their final preliminary match to top group A and set up a semi-final clash with archrivals Pakistan in the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament.
Pakistan beat South Africa 4-1 to finish second in group B.
It was a spirited beginning to Thursday’s match with chances going a begging at both ends, including a penalty-corner that India shot wide.
Although the Belgian defence held tight, India controlled most of the play with Shivendra Singh and Prabhjot Singh active upfront.
Prabhjot had a great opportunity to open the scoring after stealing the ball from Xavier Reckinger in deep defence but his shot was just wide.
India, who needed just a draw to make the semis, finally struck from a penalty-corner in the 19th minute, with a low flick by Dhananjay Mahadik.
A few minutes later another penalty-corner but the Indians failed to double their tally as the initial shot was saved and Rajpal could not convert the rebound.
Belgium reacted well and after wasting a penalty-corner, equalised from a penalty-stroke by Jerome Dekeyser in the 24th minute. Less than a minute later, a field goal by Renaud Pangrazio helped them go ahead of India.
The end of the first-half was dominated by India with a goal by Shivendra in the 30th minute to restore parity.
India missed a chance to break the deadlock early in the second-half when they yet again failed to make a penalty-corner count. With the stalemate continuing, both teams kept going hammer and tongs at each other, making for a thrilling display of hockey.
Tushar Khandekar put India ahead in the 48th minute but the Belgians were in no mood to surrender and Adrian D’Souza had to pull a spectacular diving save to protect India’s lead.
That was how it was till the final whistle with the Belgians going all out for the equaliser. A last-gasp goal by Prabhjot, however, put paid to Belgian hopes.
With the win, India top pool A ahead of New Zealand, Belgium and China. After rest day Friday, India play Pakistan in the semis Saturday.