A litmus test awaits India in their second pool match of the men's hockey World Cup Sunday and chief coach Harendra Singh said he considers the game against world no. 3 Belgium as a virtual "pre-quarterfinal" for the home team.
India are placed in Pool C alongside reigning Olympic silver medallist Belgium, South Africa and Canada and the table toppers will directly qualify for the last-eight round.
With India notching up a 5-0 win over South Africa in their opener and Belgium beating Canada 2-1, the hosts just need a victory over the Red Lions to secure their place in the quarters and avoid the cross-overs.
FT. India tide over a challenging match against @BELRedLions at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 as an action-packed final quarter kept spectators on the edge of their seats on 2nd December 2018.#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/S9nsA7Kpnq
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
Belgium 2-2 India
The match is in it's final minute as scores are level.
Sreejesh saves a Belgian attempt from the right.
Winner of this match will qualify directly for the quarterfinals and has a chance to top the Pool.
Belgium equalise with a field goal.
47' GOAL! India takes the lead with Simranjeet's deft finish!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
IND 2-1 BEL#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/QXc2COE4gm
India lead as Simranjeet finishes off brilliantly to take India ahead in the game.
Belgium 1-1 India
....and the crowd goes wild! @13harmanpreet's goal inspired a rousing reaction from the home crowd in the Kalinga Stadium.#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/UH5mZXPYvx
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
Lalit tries a long aerial shot from the half but is unable to find the net and it goes wide.
40' GOAAAAL! @13harmanpreet's faultless shot brings India back on level terms!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
IND 1-1 BEL#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/uLBqhsc2hp
India refer for a PC but the decision stands as the referee doesn't find any conclusive evidence to change the on-field decision.
India equalise from the spot as Harmanpreet nets one with a quick flick.
India win a penalty stroke
Chance to equalise as India win a penalty corner
Belgian keeper saves another goal attempt by India.
India are going hard and looking to equalise early in the second half.
Belgium have nine penetration while India have only one.
29' The tempo is unpredictable on the turf as Belgium try to defend their lead before HT while Team India take any opportunity to quickly move up the turf.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
IND 0-1 BEL#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey
Belgium 1-0 India
27' India's defenders lend a hand in attack as the team moves up the turf using the flanks.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
IND 0-1 BEL#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey
21' Lalit and Dilpreet showcase some fascinating combination play on the edge of the circle as Dilpreet lines up a shot at goal.
Akashdeep Singh gets a green card.
At 1st Quarter
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
🇮🇳 IND vs BEL 🇧🇪
1-Shots-6
57.14%-Pass Accuracy-66.01%
1-Circle Entries-2
0-Penalty Corners-3
0-Penalty Strokes-0#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvBEL
Belgium 1-0 India
India miss out on a goal-scoring oppurtunity after brilliant save by Belgian goalkeeper.
After conceding the first goal, India are back in the attacking mode.
It's a full house at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, as India would be relying a lot on the their 12th Man, the crowd which would be backing them against the @BELRedLions. #INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/GeW7e7cBHc
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
Belgium draw the first blood against India as they score from the penalty corner.
Belgium win their third penalty corner after a video referral.
India are attacking the Belgian circle from both sides.
Here are the 11 men who will step out on the turf to face @BELRedLions for Team India’s second match of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvBEL pic.twitter.com/KTYhMP0Tfc
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
India defends two penalty corners to keep the Belgium attack away from finding the net.
Belgium get a penalty corner but fail to convert.
Sending my best wishes to the @TheHockeyIndia for their upcoming match against Belgium. May your #hockey sticks rule the field, may your game sweep us off our feet! Go India Go 🇮🇳🏑✌🏻#INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 2, 2018
The match commences with Belgium having the early possession.
Both the teams walk out for the national anthem before start of play.
Our next challenge at the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 will be @BelRedLions, who’ve been bolstered by a win in their last match.
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018
Catch the action LIVE on @StarSportsIndia, @ddsportschannel & @hotstartweets from 7 PM. #INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/NveL9DeU3w
India have faced Belgium 19 times in past five years and have come out victorious on five occasions while the Belgians have won 13 games. They drew in their last encounter during Champions Trophy at Breda, Netherlands earlier this year.
South Africa draw 1-1 against Canada in their Pool C clash.
India will look to carry on the momentum and capitalise on an unimpressive first match for the Belgians against Canada where they narrowly won the match 2-1.
India crushed South Africa 5-0 in their first match of the tournament with Simranjeet Singh scoring a brace.
