Indian men’s hockey team suffered a heart-breaking 2-5 loss to Belgium in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics as their hopes of winning th...
Indian men’s hockey team suffered a heart-breaking 2-5 loss to Belgium in the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics as their hopes of winning their first gold medal since 1980 were dashed by the defending world champions on Tuesday.
India got off to the worst possible start as Belgium scored early from a Penalty Corner through Loick Luypaert in the first quarter. It was a start that India would have dreaded against a team as talented as Belgium.
However, India’s response was good as they took the attack to Belgium to squeeze in a PC. India tried a variation that Belgium did well to defend but at a cost of another PC which was expertly converted by Harmanpreet Singh to make it 1-1.
With momentum on their side, India pushed hard again and were instantly rewarded as Mandeep Singh put India 2-1 up to complete a stunning tomahawk in the first quarter.
India missed an early chance from a PC in the second quarter and it was the boost that Belgium were looking for to bounce back into the game.
Belgium pinned India back in their own half and eked out a series of penalty corners, eventually converting the fourth one through Alexander Hendrickx to draw level at 2-2.
India were lucky to...
