India concluded their Hockey World Cup campaign in eighth place following a 3-4 penalty shootout defeat to Belgium after a 3-3 draw in regulation time.
India managed an eighth-place finish in the Hockey World Cup after suffering a 3-4 penalty shootout defeat against co-hosts Belgium following a 3-3 draw in regulation time at the Belifus Arena on Friday.
Abhishek Nain gave India an early lead five minutes into the game when his shot deflected into the net off Alexander Hendrickx. Belgium responded with a relentless full-court press and a barrage of shots. While goalkeeper Suraj Karkera resisted in the opening quarter, Mohith H.S. could not stop an unmarked Roman Duvekot from equalising in the 21st minute. Hugo Labouchere then converted Belgium's fifth penalty corner in the 22nd minute to put the home team 2-1 ahead.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh equalised in the 30th minute with a powerful drag-push to make it 2-2. Harmanpreet endured a mixed afternoon, serving a five-minute suspension in the first quarter after India accidentally fielded 12 players, before receiving a green card in the third quarter.
Drama struck when veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh was hit near his eye by Labouchere's close-range shot while putting his body on the line. A bloodied Manpreet was helped off the pitch to applause from the crowd. Belgium pounced on an error shortly after to score through Nicolas de Kerpel in the 46th minute, a goal that was upheld despite an Indian referral for a touch on the body in the build-up.
Harmanpreet struck his second equalizer from a penalty corner with just seconds remaining on the clock in the 59th minute to level the game at 3-3 and force a shootout.
In the shootout, Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh failed to beat Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. With Indian goalkeeper Mohith H.S. committing too early, Belgium managed to score four times to claim a 4-3 shootout victory and end their home World Cup on a winning note.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.