Bhubaneswar, As like 2018 Champions Trophy, the Pool-C league match between host India and Belgium ended in 2-2 draw in the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup here at Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.
In the last encounter with Belgium, the result was 1-1 draw in Champions Trophy. Today conceding a goal down the host kept their cool to take a lead in the last quarter, but again the Belgium fight back to came it 2-2 draw.
Red Lion open their account in the eighth minute of the show and the houseful stadium become pin drop silent.
The Belgium got their back to back PC in the third minutes of play, however goalkeeper PR Sreejesh denied the opponent to got the lead. Again in the 8th minute Belgium awarded with a PC, but this time Alexander Hendrickx scored the goal through the legs of Sreejesh with his powerpacked strike.
Just before the end of the first quarter, India created a scoring chance, but it was missed by 21-year old Mandeep Singh due to week push. The Odia defender Birendra Lakra’s straight pass was touched by Dilpreet Singh to reach Mandeep.
The third quarter began with different looking Indian team, they got a PC in the 35th minute which was deflected by Belgium custodian Vincent Vanasch with his stick from the left top corner.
The man in blues attacking from both the corner in search of the equaliser. In the 39th minute India awarded with black to back PC. The stroke was blocked by Arthur De Sloover with his body, which resulted in a penalty stroke for India. The cool Harmanpreet Singh scored the equaliser for India.
It was always the final quarter is played the deciding factor of the match, Indian midfielders chose the aerial root to opened up the Belgium defence.
Khadangbam Kothajit gave a pass just in front of the post the Belgium goal post, Simranjeet Singh put the ball in the net to give a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute.
The Red Lion bounced back in the 56th to score the equaliser through a goal by Simon Gougnard.Varun Kumar of Indian team bagged the man of the match award.