THE INDIAN Men's Hockey Team Produced A Spirited Performance But Fell Short, Losing 3-2 To Belgium In A Tight Encounter At The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 In Ipoh, Malaysia, On Tuesday. The Match, Which Was Originally Scheduled For Monday, Was Called Off Due To Heavy Rain.
India's Goals Were Scored By Abhishek (33') And Shilanand Lakra (57'), While Belgium Were Led By Roman Duvekot (17', 57') And Nicolas De Kerpel (45').
Ranked Seventh In The World, India Started With A Solid And Disciplined Formation, With Goalkeeper Pawan Standing Firm And Making Crucial Saves On Both Sides Of The Break, Keeping India In Contention.
Belgium Were Awarded Consecutive Corners And Penalties In The First 10 Minutes, But The Indian Goalkeeper Held His Ground As The First Quarter Ended Goalless.
The Second Half Saw India Come Back Into The Game With Renewed Vigour, Rewarded When Abhishek Scored To Level The Score. But Belgium Regained Control With De Kerpel's Penalty Corner In The 45th Minute, Followed By Duvekot's Second Early In The Final Quarter.
India Pushed Hard In The Closing Stages And Reduced The Deficit Through Lakra After A Fine Assist From Rabichandra Singh. Mohit HS Later Produced A Stunning Save To Deny Belgium Another Goal, But India Were Unable To Find An Equaliser Before The Final Whistle.
Five-Time Champions India Will Face Hosts Malaysia Next Wednesday As They Look To Return To The Tournament.