India goes down to Belgium in final

Tom Boon (4th minute) and Sebastien Dockier (36th) found the target for Belgium while Mandeep Singh (19th) was India’s lone goal scorer. Belgium was quick to get off the block as it won a penalty corner within three minutes of the game but Loick Luypaert’s drag flick was superbly rendered ineffective by India’s first runner Chinglensana Kangujam. 

Almost immediately, India had a great opportunity to score as a dribbling Dilpreet Singh made a beautiful turn at the top of the circle to dodge a Belgian defender. He then sliced the ball across to Lalit Upadhyay who had positioned himself in front of the post but sadly he could not get a nudge on the ball. 

Belgium, meanwhile, mounted pressure on India with a goal through Boon in the fourth minute.

With three seconds to go for the first hooter, India won a penalty corner but Rupinder Pal Singh’s fierce hit to the right bottom of the post was saved by a Belgian defender at the baseline. 

India overcame a slow start in the second quarter as it gained momentum, creating potential circle penetrations. It was in the 19th minute when defender Rupinder Pal Singh intercepted a Belgian long pass to find Manpreet in the midfield who then sliced the ball into the center of the circle. 

Mandeep Singh was quick to react, beating goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch to push the ball into the post fetching India the equaliser. 

Both teams went into the half-time break in a stalemate. It was advantage Belgium as it scored at the start of the third quarter when Gauthier Boccard used a reverse hit from the top of the striking circle. Sreejesh made a fine save but Sebastien Dockier was quick to pick up the rebound and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper.