Indian women’s hockey team faces second consecutive defeat against Belgium in the European leg of Pro League Hockey News

The Indian women’s hockey team lost 1-2 to Belgium on Saturday – its consecutive defeat to the home team – as its European leg of the FIH Pro League was thrown into further chaos. The Indian women’s team, led by new coach Harendra Singh and captain Salima Tete, suffered a 0-2 defeat to Belgium on Thursday after starting their campaign with a 0-5 defeat at the hands of Argentina on Wednesday. Belgium led 2–0 at halftime with goals from Ambre Ballenghien (14th minute) and Vanessa Blockmans (20th minute). Both Belgian goals came from penalty corners.

Kumari Sangeeta gave a blow to India by scoring a field goal in the 34th minute. No goals could be scored by either team in the fourth quarter.

Belgium got three penalty corners in the match while India did not get even one.

Belgium started the game with a full-court press, making it difficult for the Indians to play from the back.

The Indians withstood the initial pressure and began to dominate possession, while Belgium continued to apply the pressure while finding opportunities to score on counter-attacks.

The pressure resulted in Belgium being awarded a penalty corner and Ballenghien stepped up to put the ball past Savita Punia into the goal, giving her team the lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Belgium adopted the same strategy while India attempted some passes into the opposition half.

Five minutes into the quarter, Belgium’s high pressing resulted in another penalty corner and Blockmans pounced on Louis Versavel’s deflected shot to score his second goal of the game.

India responded on goal through Tete, who sixpence in midfield, blasted to the right corner and fired a rocket across goal, which was saved by Belgian keeper Elodie Picard.

India struggled to play in their half as Belgium continued to close down their passing lanes, leaving the Indian defense to struggle to lead 2–0 at half time.

Belgium increased the pressure further in the third quarter.

However, Jyoti bypassed the press to find Deepika, whose forward pass deflected towards Sangeeta in the circle. He brought India back into the game by putting it through Pickard’s goal.

After the goal, India began to occasionally overcome the Belgian press, but the home team was quick to threaten the Indian defence. He won the ball high up the pitch and forced Savita into action.

Delphine Marianne, who was later named player of the match, remained a constant threat for Belgium on the right wing, but the Indian defense held firm and the quarter ended 2–1 in Belgium’s favour.

In the final quarter, India moved the ball around in their half, but Belgium failed to take advantage of it. The game dragged on for a long time as both the teams tried to score quickly till the end.

India created a chance to score through Deepika, but her shot was saved and Sangeeta snatched the chance to score with a deflection, but she could not capitalize on it.

Savita had to be cautious in scoring as the Belgian forwards were constantly winning the ball and threatening to score.

With five minutes left in the quarter, Belgium were awarded a penalty corner, but the ball went wide of the post.

India went ahead in the game in search of an equaliser. Deepika was given a chance to score in the final moments, but the Belgian defense quickly quelled the chaos in front of goal and sealed a 2-1 win.

This was the seventh consecutive defeat of the Indian women’s team against Belgium in all international matches.

India will play against Argentina in its next match in Antwerp, Belgium on Sunday.

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