~Araijeet Singh Hundal (11′) and Sukhjeet Singh (57′) rating for India in regulation time~
Antwerp, twenty fifth Might 2024: A spirited Indian Males’s Hockey Workforce went down 1-3 within the shootout towards hosts Belgium after ending the regulation time with a 2-2 attract a high-octane FIH Hockey Professional League 2023-24 match right here in Antwerp on Saturday. For India, Araijeet Singh Hundal (11′) and Sukhjeet Singh (57′) scored in regulation time whereas Felix Denayer (30′) and Florent Van Aubel (50′) scored for the house group.
It was Belgium’s aggressive goalkeeping that noticed them by this thrilling encounter the place India went all-out to avenge their 1-4 loss within the earlier match towards the hosts.
India acquired off to a wonderful begin with dominant show of ball possession, and structured foray into the circle. Although younger ahead Abhishek’s first shot on aim within the opening minutes discovered no success, he teamed up with Sanjay to assist India win their first PC of the match as early as within the ninth minute. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh got here up with a great flick however an skilled Vincent Vanasch saved it properly.
Constructing on this momentum of their assault, India drew first blood within the eleventh minute when younger ahead Araijeet Singh Hundal scored a superb subject aim. A well-timed aerial ball by Manpreet Singh from the midfield was picked up beautifully by Sukhjeet Singh. He did properly to manage the ball and unleash a robust shot on aim however an attentive Araijeet gave it the completion with an ideal deflection to place it previous Vanasch.
The ultimate moments within the first quarter noticed India put up a spirited defence, led by keeper Krishan Pathak. He made a diving effort to save lots of Cedric Charlier’s reverse hit.
The guests went into the second quarter with improvised assaults as younger weapons Sukhjeet and Abhishek continued to impress. They managed to fetch India their second PC, which was well-taken by Jugraj Singh however the Belgian defence was too sturdy to interrupt. Although India created a number of probabilities on this quarter the place they might have taken the scoreline to 2-0, they as a substitute ended up conceding a aim seconds earlier than the half-time hooter. It was an infringement within the circle that gave away a PC. Whereas Alexander Hendrickx’s dragflick was saved by Pathak, he might do little to cease Denayer who picked up the excessive rebound to get the ball in.
After the ten-minute half-time break, India took the depth of the sport up a notch. In a show of aggressive play was Manpreet Singh who made a stupendous defensive interception to stop a shot on aim from Nelson Onana. The sensational defensive work showcased India’s intent to offer it their all towards Belgium. The next minutes within the third quarter noticed each groups commerce probabilities of their respective circles however they remained goalless with the rating persevering with to learn 1-1. Vanasch remained Belgium’s cynosure in defence as he made a fantastic save to cease Gurjant Singh’s diving deflection from the appropriate solely seconds earlier than the third quarter ended.
The ultimate quarter noticed Belgium’s attackers check the Indian defence. Whereas their PC within the preliminary minutes of the fourth quarter was denied after a great referral by India, a defensive error within the following minutes gave away a PC to the hosts. This time Florent Van Aubel was on fireplace. His backhand contact after Hendrickx’s dragflick was saved by Sreejesh gave Belgium the much-needed 2-1 lead, sending the house crowd into celebratory mode.
Nevertheless, this Fiftieth-minute aim didn’t dent India’s spirit as they continued their hunt for an equalizer in full gusto. It was Captain Harmanpreet who led India’s resurgence, enjoying up the sector, he obtained the ball on the high of the circle and circled to ship a superb go to Sukhjeet poised in entrance of the submit. His one-handed deflection earned India that elusive equaliser.
Whereas India introduced the Belgian crowd on the sting of their seats as they received one other nice probability to increase their lead by a PC, the execution didn’t go as deliberate, ending the regulation time with a 2-2 draw. This might be India’s sixth draw of the season.
The Indian Males’s Hockey Workforce will tackle Argentina of their subsequent match at 2200 hrs IST on twenty sixth Might.
All matches of the FIH Hockey Professional League
