Paris:Belgium gave India a taste of things to come in a Paris Olympics 2024 group B match on Thursday. The reigning Olympic champions Belgium scored a 2-1 victory after conceding first in the 18th minute. Belgium now top the group with 12 points having won all their four matches so far.
India could not protect Abhishek’s lead in a gripping contest on a very hot day here at Paris. Hockey almost always attracts a heavy Indian audience and the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium was almost full with several fans chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ from the stands.
India made an impressive start. Lalit Upadhyay, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Abhishek looked particularly impressive. It was Prasad’s shot at goal that helped India create a scoring opportunity. The skilful Abhishek was on target after capitalising on a rare defensive blunder by the Belgians.
Belgium took some time to settle down. They have been in stunning form this week whipping Australia 6-2 in their previous match. After half-time, Belgium produced two goals in the third quarter (33rd and 44th minutes) to take control of the proceedings. The ABBA song Mamma Mia, played at the interval, seemed to have made a musical impact.
Thibeau Stockbroekx equalised for Belgium with a neat deflection that defeated the otherwise solid Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Belgium put a lot of pressure on the Indian defence and the troika of Nelson Alima Onana, Antoine Kina and Stockbroekx were a constant threat.
After a series of penalty corners starting in the 43rd minute, Belgium added the insurance goal after John-John Dohmen found the net following a goalmouth scramble. India’s defence, as always, looked vulnerable and skipper Harmanpreet Singh admitted that “there were a couple of issues” that needed fixing before the knockouts began.
India play Australia in their fifth and final group B match on Friday. It will be another test for the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists, who looked strong and energetic to play these fast-paced matches under sultry conditions that Paris is currently facing.
“There are no easy matches in the Olympics and it’s important to finish among the top two in group to avoid the stronger teams in the knockouts,” said Harmanpreet. India are currently third in the group with seven points from four matches.
Australia, who smashed New Zealand 5-nil on Wednesday, are second with nine points from four games. Argentina are the fourth team to qualify from this pool. In group A, Germany (9 points), Great Britain (8), the Netherlands (7) and Spain (7) have already qualified.
India’s South African coach Craig Fulton said the match against Belgium was a “good workout” before the knockouts started. Fulton said there was scope for improvement. Circle penetration and penalty corner conversions must improve if India have to last the distance.