India waste short corners in Belgium loss
The Indian men’s hockey team failed to convert any of the four penalty corners and ended up losing 0-2 to Belgium at the Four Nations Invitational tournament on Thursday.
Goals by Sébastien Dockier (8’) and Victor Wegnez (34’) ensured Belgium stayed on top of the game. Their first big attempt came in the fourth minute when Belgian forward swiftly smashed a reverse hit to the post but PR Sreejesh made an impressive save. Four minutes later, a circle penetration by Belgium saw Dockier demonstrate a classic reverse hit to put the ball into the net.
In the 12th minute, however, India found a golden opportunity to equalise when Ramandeep Singh won the team the first penalty corner , but the chance went begging.
Seven minutes into the second quarter, India’s moment to score was created by colts Armaan, Vivek Prasad and Mandeep who worked in tandem in front of the post forcing Belgian defenders to make an error. The attempt resulted in the second penalty corner.
However, Harmanpreet Singh’s dragflick was defended by Belgium.
A strong circle penetration in the opening minute of the third quarter saw India win their third penalty corner, but Varun Kumar’s drag flick was deflected, denying India an equaliser.
An error by the Indian defence was capitalised by Belgian Victor Wegnez who found the gap to put the ball into India’s post to take his team’s lead to 2-0 in the 34th minute.
India, however, continued to fight. This time it was Vivek Sagar Prasad, running into the top of the Belgian D and striking the ball across to the right flank, but a diving Ramandeep couldn’t quite get a touch on the ball.
India later won their fourth penalty corner when Ramandeep’s run-in through the midfield forced Belgian defenders to foul. A nice top of the circle variation though fetched no result as Belgians once again defended well.
The final quarter saw India, create a few good chances, but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
TAURANGA: