FIH Pro League: Belgium sink India - HIGHLIGHTS
The Indian men's drought on this European leg continues.
The Indian men failed to garner points against Belgium. (Photo credit: FIH)
The ongoing European leg of the FIH Pro League 2024-25 has been nothing short of nightmarish for both the Indian men's and women's squads.
With neither squads able to post a single victory, questions aplenty are being asked.
On Saturday night, the Indian men got another chance to score their first points. But standing in their way were the formidable Belgians, who with a superior all-round display arrested an Indian fightback and then surged ahead to push India on the backfoot.
As it happened...
Tale of the tape:
5 PCs for Belgium - 9 PCs for India
18 Circles penetrations for Belgium - 12 circle India.
India clearly missing Harmanpreet's PC skills.
Hardik Singh, speaking to the broadcasters after the games says he still believes in this team.
"I think there is so much room for improvement for us. Internally, we know that we can beat any team and that will keep us going. We were better in tiny patches and we need to extend it. We're looking forward to the next match."
He was then asked about what's going wrong.
"We know what we're doing but there are tiny mistakes. We are doing things in the training sessions, but we need to do it in the match. No one wants to lose 7 straight matches. we still have confidence. we believe in this team. Both sides go again tomorrow," he concludes.
Both sides will square off again on Sunday night.
Do join our live coverage tomorrow again.
And that's all that we have for you from the FIH Pro League tonight.
See you tomorrow, good night from all of us here at thebridge.in
The final quarter was truly sensational.
It was 2-2 at the start of Q4 and from then on, fortune fluctuated in drastic manner.
India appeared to fight back, but Belgium, courtesy their swift movement in the box and in the final third, found an extra gear to snuff India's resurgance.
This result is a body blow for the India men.
The hooter blows and its all over for India.
They suffer a 7th straight loss.
6-3 for Belgium. It's a tennis score card. Game, set and match!!
Belgium press the Indian defense and draw an error from Jarmanpreet.
With no keeper in the Indian goal, Tom Boon scores!
Belgium extend their lead.
1' left.
From the right to the left, India find Abhishek and he lets fly a reverse hit. High above the cross bar.
India throwing everything at Belgium now.
1' left.
India employing a high press and on the offensive, earn another PC.
Saved on the line by Belgium.
3' left.
India goes wide and Rohidas scores with a hit to the board on the PC !!
India score!!
Karkera comes off the line.
India, desperate in their efforts now, sprint into the Belgian box and earn a PC as the ball strikes a Belgian arm.
4' left.
India needs to score here.
Just a couple of minutes ago, India were just a goal behind.
And now, Belgium has just switched gears and this game is now clearly out of India's reach.
4' left.
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