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On Thursday, August 1, the Indian men’s hockey team suffered a tough 1-2 defeat against the reigning Olympic and world champions Belgium in the Paris Olympics 2024 Pool B match at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir. India had the 1-0 lead at half-time, but Belgium managed to score two goals in the second half, to register their fourth straight win in the pool.
In the first quarter, India and Belgium played some enterprising hockey in the attacking third, but they were unable to break the deadlock with PR Sreejesh and Vincent Vanasch making key saves. The start of the second quarter saw India steal a goal via a smart finish from Abhishek after Arthur de Sloover gave away the ball at the edge of the circle in the 18th minute.
Although India went into the half-time with a 1-0 lead, Belgium were able to get back on level terms in the 33rd minute with Thibeau Stockbroekx finding the goal with a tap in after Florent van Aubel picked him out perfectly. Just 11 minutes later, Belgium got into the lead after John-John Dohmen scored a goal after a massive scrap in the final third.
India pushed for an equaliser in the fourth quarter with all their attacking might in the Pool B match. The Indian captain, Harmanpreet Singh, unleashed a bullet penalty corner to his right in the 59th minute only for Florent van Aubel to make the save of the match with his stick in front of goal, to deny the equaliser to the opposition.
