NIVELLES, July 14: India overcame a defiant and tenacious Belgium team to register a 3-1 win in their first friendly hockey match. India, who led 1-0 at the break, scored through Sandeep Singh, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh in the match played late Tuesday night.
This was India's first match on second leg of their pre-Olympic preparations. Sandeep Singh put India ahead early in first session with his powerful drag flick off their first penalty corner.
Belgium, who had held India in Olympic Qualifier at Madrid in March, conceded second goal in 51st minute when Deepak Thakur pushed home after veteran Dhanraj Pillay had set him up from the right.
The hosts fought back with many forays into Indian circle and succeeded in earning five penalty corners. Four of these were aborted by goalkeeper Adrian D'souza, the fifth one was deflected in off a defenders stick.
Stung with this reversal, India struck back immediately to make it 3-1 when Prabhjot Singh scored after a midfield combination play by Ignace Tirkey and Vikram Pillay. -PPI
