India go atop Pool after 2- 2 with Belgium at World Cup
Bhubaneswar, Dec. 2: Hosts India produced a spirited effort to eke out a 2- 2 draw against Olympic silver medallists Belgium in an evenly- contested Pool ‘ C’ match of the men’s hockey World Cup here on Sunday.
Pegged back by Alenander Hendricks’ goal in the eighth minute, India made a valiant comeback after the change of ends, scoring two goals in the third and fourth quarter through Harmanpreet Singh ( 39th) and Simranjeet Singh ( 47th) to take the lead.
But the hosts defence faltered in the final minutes and conceded a late goal when Simon Gougnard scored in the 56th minute to draw level.
The draw, however, enabled world No. 5 India to take the top spot in Pool ‘ C’ ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Both teams have a win and a draw from two outings.
India had earlier blanked South Africa 5- 0 in their opener, while world No. 3 Belgium pulled off a close 2- 1 win over Canada.
Contrary to their last match, the Indians completely looked out of sorts in the opening two quarters against Belgium.
The hosts lacked co- ordination in the midfield and that gave them hardly any scoring opportunities.
The Indians were slow to get off the blocks as the Red Lions dominated the proceedings in the first two quarters, threatening the hosts defence on a number of occasions.
A penalty corner in the eighth minute resulted in Belgium’s first goal through Hendricks, who sounded the board with a ground flick in between the legs of Indian custodian P. R. Sreejesh.
Seconds from the first quarter, India had their first real scoring chance when Mandeep deflected wide a Dilpreet Singh lay over from Birendra Lakra’s inch- perfect pass from the midfield.
Five minutes into the second quarter, Dilpreet Singh shot wide from top right after being fed by skipper Manpreet Singh.
Two minutes from half time, Tom Boon came tantalisingly close to doubling Belgium’s lead when his neat deflection struck the post and went out.
But after the change of ends, the Indians changed gears. — PTI