The Indian men’s hockey team delivered a spirited performance but couldn’t avoid a 2–3 defeat to Belgium in a rain-hit, rescheduled fixture at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 in Ipoh on Tuesday.
Abhishek (33’) and Shilanand Lakra (57’) found the target for India, while Belgium struck through Roman Duvekot (17’, 46’) and Nicolas De Kerpel (45’).
India began with composure, absorbing Belgium’s early pressure and maintaining defensive discipline. Goalkeeper Pawan stood out in the opening exchanges, pulling off important saves that kept India level. Belgium earned back-to-back penalty corners within the first ten minutes, but India’s defensive unit alert, compact, and well-organised ensured the scoreboard remained unchanged at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw India step up with intent. They settled into a passing rhythm and looked increasingly threatening in the opposition half. But against the run of play, Belgium carved out the opener through Roman Duvekot in the 17th minute, breaking Pawan’s resistance. India responded swiftly when Dilpreet Singh finished a neat attacking move, but the effort was chalked off for dangerous play. Despite sustained pressure thereafter, India went into halftime trailing 0–1.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The momentum shifted early in the second half. India came out energised and were rewarded almost immediately as Abhishek pounced in the 33rd minute, finishing a flowing move to bring his side level. That equaliser injected urgency into India’s play, and they pressed Belgium aggressively, hunting for a second goal. But just as India looked in control, Belgium struck again this time through Nicolas De Kerpel, who converted a penalty corner in the 45th minute to regain the lead.
Belgium capitalised quickly in the fourth quarter, with Duvekot grabbing his second in the 46th minute to make it 3–1. The goal gave Belgium much-needed breathing room, but India refused to back off. They nearly pulled one back from a penalty corner with under ten minutes remaining, as the attacking intensity ramped up again.
India’s persistence finally paid off in the 57th minute when Shilanand Lakra connected with a sharp cross from Rabichandra Singh to reduce the deficit to 2–3. The final minutes were frantic Mohit HS produced a brilliant block to prevent Belgium from scoring a fourth, keeping India alive deep into the contest. But despite their late push, India couldn’t find the equaliser.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
A tight, physical, rain-disrupted match ended with Belgium edging ahead, but India left the field having shown both resilience and quality especially in the phases where they controlled possession and tempo.
India next face hosts Malaysia on 26 November at 17:30 IST.
All matches of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 are streaming live on FanCode.
