FIH Pro League: Hendrickx strikes twice as Belgium beat India 3-2

Alexander Hendrickx struck a brace as Belgium notched up an exciting 3-2 victory over India within the second match of the two-leg FIH Pro Hockey League match right here on Sunday.

Hendrickx (forty ninth, 59th) produced two targets within the fourth quarter to go together with a thirty third minute objective from Nicolas de Kerpel because the Olympic champions fought again from a 0-1 deficit to get the higher of India, a day after being shocked by the guests 4-5 in a shootout. For India, Abhishek (twenty fifth) had put India forward, whereas Mandeep Singh (60) scored one other objective simply moments earlier than the hooter. With this win, world champions moved as much as 2nd spot on the factors desk, whereas India had been on the third.

India will now tackle Netherlands subsequent week.

Belgium managed the sport early on with higher ball possession and likewise earned the primary penalty nook when Sreejesh saved one together with his foot however within the course of ended up pushing the ball into one of many Indian defender’s foot. However, Belgium squandered the chance.

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India had an opportunity on the fifth minute when Jarmanpreet despatched a cross from the proper however Sukhjeet ended up sending it over the bar.

India loved higher possession through the ultimate phases of the primary quarter and Jugraj had created a chance with an extended ball by way of the middle however the guests faltered with the end as Belgium defence was as much as the job.

Jarmanpreet earned a penalty nook 5 minutes into the second quarter however Harmanpreet’s shot was saved by goalie V Vanasch beautifully.

In the twenty fifth minute, India produced the breakthrough with an outstanding discipline objective with Abhishek guiding the ball into the online after arrange by Gurjant Singh, who beautifully mixed with Vivek Sagar Prasad contained in the circle.

Belgium got here again robust searching for an equalizer however the defence held on with PR Sreejesh effecting an outstanding save because the second quarter ended with India main 1-0.

In the thirty third minute, Nicolas de Kerpel introduced the hosts again into the sport with a decent end after being fed by Arthur de Sloover. A decent battle of supremacy ensued however India’s defence stood agency, particularly Sreejesh producing some very good saves to disclaim Belgium.

In the third quarter, India had been diminished to 10-man after Akashdeep acquired a inexperienced card.

Things modified within the fourth quarter when within the forty eighth minute, Surender Kumar conceded a PC and Alexander Hendrickx rapidly put Belgium forward with a lightening quick shot that went by way of the legs of Sreejesh.

Four minutes left for the tip of fourth quarter, India earned a penalty nook however goalie Vanasch Vincent put his proper hand on the best way to disclaim the guests.

On minute shy of the hour’s mark, Belgium earned one other penalty stroke, a lot to the dismay of Indian camp and Hendrickx transformed it, getting the ball previous Sreejesh excessive on the web to make it 3-1 of their favour.

However, a preventing India virtually pulled off a heist when Mandeep Singh slept previous the Belgium goalkeeper to scale back the margin.

With simply seconds left on the clock, Vivek then produced a sensational hit on the goalpost however it went off course as one other thrilling contest got here to an finish.