~Sangita Kumari scored the lone purpose for India~
Antwerp, twenty fifth Might 2024: The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Crew took on Belgium within the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023/24 and misplaced 1-2 on Saturday. Ambre Ballenghien (15’) and Vanessa Blockmans (20‘) obtained on the scoresheet for Belgium whereas Sangita Kumari (34‘) scored the one purpose for India.
Belgium started the sport with a full-court press, making it tough for India to play out from the again. Nevertheless, the Indian eves endured the preliminary stress and started dominating possession, whereas Belgium continued to press, searching for an opportunity to attain on the counterattack. The stress resulted in a penalty nook for Belgium, and Ambre Ballenghien stepped as much as energy the ball previous Savita in purpose, placing her crew forward as the primary quarter drew to a detailed.
Within the second quarter, Belgium employed the identical tactic whereas India tried to sew a couple of passes collectively in Belgium’s half. 5 minutes into the quarter, Belgium’s excessive press resulted in one other penalty nook, and Vanessa Blockmans pounced on Louise Versavel’s deflected shot to attain the second purpose of the sport. India reacted to the purpose by way of Salima Tete, who turned on a sixpence in midfield, blazed to the fitting nook, and unleashed a rocket on purpose, which was saved by Belgian keeper Elodie Picard. India struggled to play out of their half as Belgium continued to shut down their passing lanes, forcing the Indian protection right into a scramble to maintain it 2-0 heading into halftime.
Belgium additional intensified the stress within the third quarter. Nevertheless, Jyoti bypassed the press to search out Deepika, whose ahead move deflected to Sangita Kumari within the circle. She flashed it into Elodie Picard’s purpose to carry India again into the sport. After the purpose, India often began to beat the Belgian press, however Belgium was fast to threaten the Indian protection. They received the ball excessive up the pitch and compelled Savita into motion. Delphine Marien remained a relentless menace down the fitting wing for Belgium, however the Indian protection stood agency, and the quarter ended 2-1 in Belgium’s favour.
The ultimate quarter noticed India flip over the ball of their half, however Belgium did not capitalize. The sport grew to become stretched as each groups regarded to attain shortly in the direction of the tip. India created an opportunity to attain by way of Deepika, however her shot was saved, and Sangita snatched the prospect to attain from the deflection however was not in a position to convert it. Savita needed to keep alert in purpose because the Belgian forwards consistently received the ball and threatened to attain. With 5 minutes left within the quarter, Belgium earned a penalty nook, however the ball sailed vast of the submit. India grew into the sport, pushing forward searching for an equalizer. Deepika was handed an opportunity to attain within the closing moments, however the Belgian protection rushed to subdue the chaos in entrance of the purpose and sealed a 2-1 victory over India.
The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Crew will tackle Argentina of their subsequent match at 1515hrs IST on twenty sixth Might.
All matches of the FIH Hockey Professional League
