Tokyo Olympics: Belgium defeats India 5-2 in men's hockey semi finals
Fortune swung in both teams favour during the first half of the match. but Belgium emerged on top with some brilliant stick-work in the second half.
FollowFortune swung in both teams favour during the first half of the match. But Belgium emerged on top with some brilliant stick-work in the second half.
India still has a shot at the bronze medal of the men's hockey event.
World Champions Belgium scored in the opening minute through a penalty corner which was converted by Loick Luypaert.
However, India equalised in the next minute with Harmanpreet Singh scoring a brilliant goal through a penalty corner.
Mandeep Singh then gave India the lead through a stunning field goal. Amit Rohidas delivered the ball to Mandeep, who fired the ball into the net. The Belgium defender on the line had no chance of stopping that.Â
In the nineteenth minute of the second quarter, Alexander Hendrickx equalised after converting Belgium's 5th penalty corner. This was the 12th goal for Hendrickx, who is playing his first Olympics.
Both teams fought hard in the third quarter but failed to score.Â
The Indian team gave away three consecutive penalty corners to Belgium in the last quarter of the Tokyo 2020 men's hockey semi-final match. Alexander Hendrickx scored off the third penalty corner.
Belgium once again got consecutive penalty corners in the 52nd and 53rd minutes. Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh defended four consecutive penalty corners. But the fifth corner turned into a penalty stroke. Hendrickx scored his third goal of the match off that penalty stroke.Â
As India pushed to score in the dying minutes of the game, Belgium sealed the deal with a fifth goal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh after the semi-final match. He appreciated their good performance throughout the tournament and wished them luck for the next game.
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