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Bhubaneswar, Dec 10: After defeating the Netherlands, a resurgent India would definitely like to do a repeat act when they take on Belgium in the quarterfinals of the Champions Trophy at the Kalinga Stadium here Thursday. Confident as they may be with a victory over the Ornajes, the hosts, however will have to be at their best if they are to beat the Red Lions who have been in ominous form in the tournament.
Belgium along with England are the only two undefeated teams in the competition. In spite of playing in the afternoon heat, they have shown they have the grit and determination to overcome all the odds. They will be at an advantage Thursday playing in the evening and in cooler temperatures, they will certainly have questions to ask about the Indian team.
But knock-out rounds are a completely different ball game as one bad day in office can spoil the entire hard work of a side and Belgium would be aware of the fact. They cannot afford any slip-ups as this is the business end of the event and none of the sides will get a second chance.
The last time the two sides played was in World Cup earlier in the year and Belgium won 3-2 thanks to a last minute goal scored by skipper Joh-John Dohmen. The two teams have met four times in the last couple of years and the results have been 3-1 in favour of the upcoming European powerhouse of hockey. “We have gelled well as a team and that is one of the reasons why we score a lot of goals in the dying minutes of a game,” stated Dohmen after the end of the Belgian training session, Wednesday.
The Indians to keep their hopes alive in the event will have to play well in the fourth quarter. They lost to Germany by a last minute goal and conceded two goals to Argentina in the last 15 minutes. This tendency to let their game drop has cost India dearly in the past. They will have to improve on this aspect.
The hosts will also have to improve upon the percentage of converting their penalty corners. India have earned around 10 penalty corners in the three games they have played, but have managed to convert only two.
There are no injury problems for either of the sides and local boy Birendra Lakra will be available if required.
