Indian hockey team worked hard to stay in contention for win but eventually lost 1-3 to Belgium
Indian hockey team opening Men’s FIH Pro League match at Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Wednesday evening against Belgium will certainly compel chief national men’s hockey coach Craig Fulton go back to the boardroom. This to update the core group of players selected for FIH Pro League to strengthen their fundamentals. The thrilling match that India lost 1-3 to Belgium also suggested that skipper Harmanpreet Singh was a bit rusty on Wednesday evening and should sharpen his skills to flummox the rival team.
The first goal earned by Belgium was an error on the part of the Indian skipper. He was unusually slow on the pitch. Hinting either he wasn’t fit or nursing an injury.
The Belgian player in fact snatched the ball from the Indian skipper which eventually resulted in the home team conceding the first goal in the 23rd minute. The goal scorer was Nelson Onana.
The Indian team proved hard nut to crack in the first half and managed to hold off the marauding Belgium forward line at bay.
The home team also came back to stay in contention for a win when Shilanand Lakra scored parity in 29th minute. But as the match progressed some silly mistakes on the part of the home team cost them dearly.
The Indian players should learn the art of staying calm under pressure because at times during crucial juncture of the match they get over excited which results in wasting unnecessary energy. Instead of finding the right opportunity to score, the Indian players sometimes make an attempt to rush towards the rival goalpost. The thought process should be to strike when it matters as not all entry inside the circle can be converted to goals.
There are coaching staff and a video team to analyse and update the chief coach, but minute errors need a microscope to read and improve.
With seven minutes to go Belgium made it 2-1 through Thomas Crols (53rd minute). With time ticking away, the eventual winner slotted home a third goal through Arne Van Dessel (3-1) to tighten their grip over the match.
In a post-match interaction with the FIH, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh said: “There was a plan in place to tackle the Belgium side but the finish wasn’t good.”
India will face Argentina in the second match of the Rourkela leg of FIH Pro League on Thursday.
EOM
