Indian men's hockey team return from Belgium with 100% tour record

The Indian men’s hockey team has returned to India after winning all five matches in their Belgium tour. During their tour, they defeated Belgium 2-0 in the opening match and registered 6-1 and 5-1 wins over Spain in the next two games. In their last match they thrashed the World and European Champions Belgium 5-1. Maintaining the 100% record in the Belgium tour, in the fifth and the last match on Thursday, Simranjeet Singh (7th), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (35th), Vivek Sagar Prasad (36th), Harmanpreet Singh (42nd), and Ramandeep Singh (43rd) scored a goal each to earn victory for the Indian team. 

Team’s play in the first half 

India scored its first goal in the seventh minute of the game as forward Simranjeet took the lead. At the first break, India managed to maintain the lead as Krishan B Pathak saved a penalty corner by Belgium. In the second quarter by the 16th minute, team Belgium won back to back corners, but the Indian team made sure that their lead stayed intact. Belgium’s effort to equalise the game was ongoing, but India through its strong defence maintained its lead till the half-time.  

Read: Indian men's hockey team beat World Champs Belgium 5-1 in the final match

Read: Indian Men's Hockey Team defeats Spain 5-1 to continue 100% record

Raining goals in the second half 

In the 35th minute of the match, India started the game with an intent to attack. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored his first goal. In the next minute, Vivek Sagar Prasad was seen extending India’s lead by 3-0. R Sreejesh's dived and saved a penalty corner in the 38th minute of the game. However, Alexander Hendrickx from Belgium scored a goal by hitting a brilliant strike at the 39th minute. Later in the next two minutes, India scored a goal twice before the end of the third quarter. The fourth goal was scored by Harmanpreet Singh, who converted a Penalty Corner in the 42nd minute. Ramandeep Singh, on the other hand, scored the fifth goal in the 43rd minute. Strong tackling and interceptions from team India’s side led them to win the game and maintain a 100% record in the five matches. 

Read: Hockey Player Sandeep Singh Joins BJP Ahead Of Assembly Elections

Read: 'Women's Hockey Team A Well-settled Unit': Vice Captain Savita

(With PTI Inputs)