Antwerp: Mandeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh scored in the second half to guide the Indian men’s hockey team to a superb 2-0 win over Belgium in the opening game of the three-match series here, Thursday. While Mandeep Singh scored in the 39th minute, Akashdeep Singh doubled the tally in the 54th.
In a gritty first quarter, India were the ones who took the initiative early, forcing Belgian goalie Loic van Doren into a save from the first penalty corner of the game.
Soon it was India’s turn to defend and Krishan Pathak, who started the game in the goal was up to the task, pulling off a smart save off a Belgium penalty corner to ensure the teams went into the break locked in a stalemate.
India rushed off the blocks in the second quarter and kept Belgium under pressure. Despite controlling a large amount of possession, India found it difficult to find a breakthrough against the Belgian defence.The teams went into half time without troubling the scorers.
India kept the tempo up in the third period and forced Van Doren into multiple saves. All the circle entries and creative play finally found reward in the 39th minute as Mandeep scored to give them the lead.
Belgium were forced to attack in the final quarter and almost immediately tested PR Sreejesh in goal. He was up to the task pulling off a succession of saves to keep his team in the lead.
India capitalised on Belgium’s attacking necessity to earn a pair of PCs themselves. Van Doren’s heroics prevented a second goal. However, Akashdeep Singh finished off a slick move to double India’s lead.
The second game of the series will be played September 28.
PTI