Breaking a seven-match losing streak, the Indian men’s hockey team wrapped up its 2024-25 FIH Pro League campaign with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Belgium. The win not only brought a sense of relief but also highlighted individual milestones and team resilience in a closely contested game.
India’s goals came through Sukhjeet Singh (21’, 35’), Amit Rohidas (36’), and a late penalty stroke from captain Harmanpreet Singh (59’). Belgium responded with goals from Arthur de Sloover (8’), Thibeau Stockbroekx (34’), and Hugo Labouchere (41’), but fell just short in a match full of momentum swings.
Sukhjeet Singh, who was named Player of the Match, played a pivotal role, scoring twice and showcasing excellent positioning and awareness. “We made a good comeback today. We had the confidence in us in every game we played. There was a lot of room for improvement in how we played today, narrowed down on the small errors we were making and rectified them today. There has been lots of learnings from here and we will bounce back next edition,” he said after the match.
The match also marked a special occasion for both Sukhjeet and Dilpreet Singh, who reached the milestone of 100 international caps.
Belgium started strong, putting pressure on India’s defense from the first whistle. Their strategy paid off early with de Sloover’s eighth-minute goal. But India found its rhythm in the second quarter, leveling the score through a cleverly executed penalty corner finished by Sukhjeet.
After halftime, Belgium regained the lead through Stockbroekx, but their advantage was short-lived. Sukhjeet equalized almost immediately, and Amit Rohidas quickly followed up with a goal from another penalty corner, putting India ahead 3-2.
Labouchere’s maiden international goal restored parity for Belgium in the final quarter, setting the stage for a tense finish. With just a minute left, India successfully used a video referral to earn a penalty stroke. Despite de Sloover’s protests—resulting in a yellow card—Harmanpreet Singh coolly slotted the ball home, sealing the win.
India now sits seventh in the standings, 14 points clear of bottom-placed Ireland and ahead of Germany, which has five matches in hand. The victory may not drastically change the team’s position, but it provides a morale boost and a strong ending to an otherwise challenging season.
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