New Delhi: The Indian men’s hockey team suffered their second successive loss, going down 1-3 to hosts Belgium in Boom for a disappointing end to the first leg of their ongoing tour of Europe.
The Red Devils dished out a spirited performance late Thursday night and came back from a goal down to beat India and pocket the two-match series 2-0 in as many days. India had earlier lost by a solitary goal to Belgium in their opening game.
The Indians, who have fielded an experimental team here with as many as six players making their debut in the senior national side, started on an aggressive note and surged ahead in the fourth minute when Armaan Qureshi scored a brilliant field goal.
India got an opportunity to double the lead soon from a penalty corner but the chance went amiss. The lead also did not last long as Belgium scored the equaliser through Amaury Keusters (ninth minute).
In the second quarter both sides earned one penalty corner each. But while India wasted theirs, the hosts converted through Loick Luypaert.
Just at the stroke of half time, Belgium extended their lead through Cedric Charlier’s field strike.
For India, midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam achieved the distinction of playing 150 matches for his country Thursday. He made his international debut in the 2011 Champions Challenge in South Africa. He has been a part of the teams who won the silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow CWG, the 2014 Incheon Asiad gold and a historic silver at the 36th FIH Champions Trophy in London last year.
Press Trust of India
