India edge past Belgium for first win

New Delhi: Young drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to guide India to a 3-2 win over Belgium in their round-robin match of the three-nation invitational men’s hockey tournament in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Monday. India lost 1-2 to Belgium in their first game and drawn 2-2 with Germany.

Harmanpreet (34th, 38th minutes) and forward Ramandeep Singh (49th) scored for India.

Belgium begun strongly, the 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists showing precision and dominant in skill and ball possession. India caught them on the wrong foot early on by earning back-to-back penalty corners, but could not convert their chances.

Belgium took the lead through Amaury Keusters, who struck a brilliant field goal in the 13th minute.

India played cautiously in the second quarter, not allowing the Belgian attackers space in the circle.

After the break, back-to-back strikes from Harmanpreet handed India the advantage as they surged ahead 2-1.

Belgium found the equaliser in the 45th minute, when Tanguy Cosyns scored off a penalty corner.

It all came down to the final quarter as the teams tested each other time and again. India held their nerve and constantly raided the Belgian defence. Ramandeep found the breakthrough with good assists from his team mates in the 49th minute as India took the lead yet again, which they managed to defend till the end.

On Tuesday, India take on hosts Germany.