The Indian men’s hockey team’s European campaign in the 2024–25 FIH Pro League hit yet another low as they suffered a 3–6 defeat to Olympic bronze medallists Belgium in Antwerp on Saturday.
The defeat not only marked India’s seventh consecutive loss but also extended what is now their longest-ever losing streak in international men’s hockey.
Despite moments of promise, especially in the second and third quarters, India once again came up short in key phases of the game conceding early, succumbing to defensive lapses late on, and being punished ruthlessly by a seasoned Belgian outfit.
Belgium Strike Early and Hard
The game began in chaotic fashion for India. With just 13 seconds on the clock, Belgium earned their first penalty corner, exposing India’s lack of readiness. Goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, caught behind his line still setting up his equipment when the whistle blew, scrambled to position but Belgium pounced.
Karkera did well to block Alexander Hendrickx’s initial drag-flick, but his clearance fell straight to Arthur van Doren, who slammed the ball into an open goal to give Belgium the lead inside the first minute. Within 60 seconds, the hosts had already registered three attempts on goal, showcasing an intensity India struggled to match in the opening exchanges.
For nearly the entire first quarter, India failed to enter the Belgian circle even once, with Belgium’s high press and physical dominance choking any attempts to transition.
Momentum Swings and India’s Fightback
Despite the early setback, India found their rhythm in the second quarter. Technical stick work and controlled possession began to trouble Belgium’s man-to-man defence. Two successive penalty corners went India’s way, but poor conversion denied them an equaliser.
Against the run of play, Belgium doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Hendrickx, one of the best drag-flickers in world hockey, threaded the ball through Karkera’s legs from another penalty corner. At 2–0 down going into half-time, India’s seventh straight defeat seemed inevitable.
But head coach Craig Fulton’s halftime talk had a visible impact. From asking for “controlled aggression,” his message pivoted to encouraging the players to “play on the front foot.” The response was swift.
Just seconds into the third quarter, India won two back-to-back penalty corners. Though Jugraj Singh’s drag-flick was blocked, Dilpreet Singh was quick to latch onto the rebound, reducing the deficit to 2–1 in the 36th minute.
Barely two minutes later, Vivek Sagar Prasad sent in a probing ball that Mandeep Singh deflected with a fortunate deflection off van Doren into the goal, levelling the score at 2–2 and completing a spirited comeback.
The brief parity lifted India’s spirits. Another penalty corner saw Sanjay come agonisingly close to giving India the lead. But as the third quarter ended, Belgium started reasserting control.
Collapse in the Final Quarter
India’s momentum dissipated early in the fourth quarter. Belgium’s Roman Duvekot capitalised on a brilliant run by Tom Boon to push the ball past Karkera from close range, reclaiming the lead in the 49th minute.
Then came the collapse.
With India pushing for another equaliser, gaps began to open up in their defence and Belgium, with their tactical precision and composure, exploited every one. Victor Foubert made a lung-bursting run in the 53rd minute and squared the ball to Thibeau Stockbroekx, who slotted home Belgium’s fourth.
Just a minute later, Arthur van Doren, already with one goal to his name, unleashed a powerful strike that took a deflection off Amit Rohidas and looped into the goal for 5–2. In a span of six minutes, India went from level terms to three goals behind.
To their credit, the men in blue kept pushing. In the 56th minute, Amit Rohidas converted a penalty corner to make it 5–3. Rajinder Singh almost added another, only to be denied on the line by Arthur De Sloover. But Belgium had the final say, as Tom Boon capped off a commanding performance with his side’s sixth goal in the 59th minute, sealing the 6–3 result.
Losing Run: What Does It Say About Team India?
The defeat extended India’s losing run to seven consecutive matches the worst in their history. Previously, their longest streak was six games during the London 2012 Olympics, a campaign remembered more for disorganisation and disappointment.
Yet, in contrast to 2012, this team isn’t rudderless. India have been competitive six of the seven losses have come by one-goal margins. On Saturday too, they were in the game till the 48th minute. But their inability to manage the closing phases and their penchant for slow starts are troubling trends.
The current team, which just a year ago celebrated back-to-back Olympic medals and looked poised for global success, suddenly finds itself in a spiral. The attacking flair remains, but the defence has looked increasingly brittle. India’s inability to hold shape when chasing games, as seen in the final quarter, has hurt them repeatedly in this European leg.
Key Takeaways from the Defeat
- Poor Starts Cost India Dearly: Falling behind within 60 seconds, India were on the back foot immediately. This has become a pattern in the last few matches, putting unnecessary pressure on the midfield and defence.
- Resilience Is There But So Is Rashness: The comeback to 2–2 was commendable. However, the panic that set in after Belgium’s third goal led to defensive gaps and disorganisation.
- Penalty Corner Conversions Still a Concern: While Rohidas scored from one, India’s conversion rate from set-pieces continues to hover below par, especially against elite defences.
- Goalkeeping Decisions Under the Scanner: Suraj Karkera had a good tournament overall, but his positioning error at the start and failure to clear Hendrickx’s drag-flick away from danger were costly.
India’s final game of the European leg comes against the same opponent, Belgium, on Sunday. Even if they manage a win, it won’t undo the damage they will still end with their worst-ever losing streak. However, a strong finish could provide some much-needed morale before they regroup ahead of future tournaments.
India currently sits in the lower half of the Pro League table and are fortunate that Ireland’s performance has been worse, saving them from relegation worries at least for now.
Final Scoreline
Belgium 6 (Arthur van Doren 1’, 54’, Alexander Hendrickx 28’, Roman Duvekot 49’, Thibeau Stockbroekx 53’, Tom Boon 59’)
India 3 (Dilpreet Singh 36’, Mandeep Singh 38’, Amit Rohidas 56’)
India’s 3–6 loss to Belgium was more than just another defeat. It was a reminder of how fragile confidence can be at the elite level and how thin the line is between a close contest and a blowout. For Craig Fulton’s side, the focus now must be on tightening defensive structures, improving penalty corner routines, and above all, learning how to finish games with composure.
The talent is evident, the intent is visible but results remain elusive. The next few months could define whether this talented group can turn promise into podiums.
