Breda (the Netherlands): Wilting under relentless pressure in the final quarter, India conceded a late goal to settle for a 1-1 draw with Belgium in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament here, today.
World No.6 India scored an early goal through a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet Singh (10th minute) and managed to hold to the lead till the 59th minute before Loick Luypaert dashed their hopes by converting their first of the 11 penalty corners.
With seven points from four games, India are still in with a chance of progressing to Sunday’s final. They take on hosts the Netherlands in their last round robin match here Saturday. The Men in Blue currently are on top of the six-team points table on better goal difference.
They have seven points, the same as Australia, but with a better goal difference (9-5) to the Oz’s (8-6). So a draw against the Netherlands will ensure India’s spot in the final.
Just like World No.3 Belgium who got 11 penalty corners, but could convert only one, the Indians too were awful with conversions as they made use of just one of the six that came their way.
India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was outstanding under the post and made numerous brilliant saves to keep Belgium at bay, including a third-minute attempt of Luypaert from their first penalty corner.
India slowly and steadily got off the blocks and Mandeep Singh came close to breaking the deadlock but his shot hit the post in the eighth minute.
India earned two back-to-back penalty corners in the 10th minute, the second of which was converted by Harmanpreet with Dilpreet Singh playing a dummy when the shot was played to flummox the Belgian custodian.
In the 25th minute SV Sunil messed up a great chance after receiving an inch-perfect through pass from Sardar Singh. He failed to control and a Belgian defender cleared the ball.
After the change of ends, Sreejesh made a brilliant diving save to deny Tom Boon from a set piece. In the 43rd minute, Mandeep scored but the goal was disallowed for obstruction inside the ‘D’.
The Belgians came out with all guns blazing in the final quarter and exerted tremendous pressure on the Indian citadel but Sreejesh stood like a rock to deny them. The defenders also played a stellar role to keep the marauding Belgian players at bay.
But Sreejesh was finally beaten by Luypaert when the drag-flicker hit a sizzling drive to the right of the keeper to sound the boards. With 32 seconds to go, Belgium got another penalty corner, but failed to execute it properly.
