India go down 2-5 against Belgium in men’s hockey semi final at Tokyo Olympics

After a spirited display against Great Britain in the quarter final earlier, India Tuesday began almost on equal note and also took  2-1 lead for a brief period  in the second quarter. Though  Belgium drew level soon, the  score line remained 2 -2 till the 49th  minute.  But  India succumbed to the pressure in the final quarter and conceded three more goals during the last eleven minutes.

India still have a chance to earn the bronze if they can beat Germany in the play off match for the third place. In the second semifinal Tuesday,  Australia beat Germany  3-1  to set up a title clash with Belgium on Thursday.

The India- Belgium match saw India starting aggressively and forcing a penalty corner in the very first minute which proved abortive. Belgium made a counter attack and went ahead in the very next minute through  Loick Luypaert who converted  their first penalty corner ( O  - 1 ).

Stung by the reverse, India  also pressed up their attacks and not only drew level 1-1 with Harmanpreet Singh converting India’s second penalty corner, they also took the  lead  in the 8th minute.

This time Mandeep Singh after collecting a pass from Amit Rohidas inside D,  scored with a quick hit ( 2- 1). The lead was, however, short lived as four minutes into the second quarter Alexander Hendrikx displayed his skill in converting the penalty corner to restore parity  for the world champions ( 2 – 2 ).

After a barren third quarter, Belgiam  resorted to all out attacks and scored three more goals within eleven minutes to make sure of their entry into the final. 

While Hendrickx converted another penalty corner in the 49th minute to snatch the lead 3-2 and then buttressed the same converting a penalty stroke four minutes later ( 4-0 ), John John-Dhmen completed the tally for Belgium  just before the hooter ( 5-2).