The Asian Age

New Delhi

Aug. 6: Skipper Sandeep Singh pumped in two goals in India’s 4-3 win over Belgium 4-3 in the second men’s hockey test at Braxgata, Boom, on Wednesday. The win helped India level the three-match series after they lost the opener 3-6 on Monday.

This was Sandeep’s first match of the tour after his recovery from a bout of flu.

Hari Prasad (8th) and Rajpal Singh (55th minute) were the other goal-scorers, while Belgium scored through Tom Boon (4th), Cedric Charlier (11th) and Jeff Thys (18th minute), according to a release here. Sandeep’s goals came in the 32nd and 64th minutes.

India, who trailed 2-3 at the breather, brought back goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza, Sardar Singh, Rajpal Singh, Gurvinder Chandi and Bharat Chhikara for the second half.

The game began on an aggressive note. Chandi’s attempt in the second minute was padded away by Belgium custodian Vincent.

Belgium shot into the lead two minutes later through a penalty stroke after midfielder V.S. Vinaya was struck on the body. Boonto slotted the ball past D’Souza to make it 1-0.

India fought back but attempts for the equaliser from S.V. 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 was intercepted by Charlier who beat D’Souza to put Belgium ahead again.

The gap widened further in the 18th minute after Jeff Thys got past Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh and beat D’Souza low to his right.

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

Rajpal equalised 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 fired home with aplomb to round off the tally in India’s favour.

The third and final test will be played, also at Braxgata, on Friday.