India vs Belgium, Men's Hockey World Cup: Live scores and updates from Bhubaneswar
Hosts India started their campaign with a 5 -0 drubbing of South Africa on Wednesday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, and will look to repeat the same domination when they lock horns against World No. 3 Belgium on Sunday.
Team India remain unbeaten as they held reigning Olympic Silver medalist Belgium at a 2-2 draw on Day 5 of the ongoing Men's Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha on Sunday.
Belgium started off well, with a better pace and possession, they dominated India in the first half before the hosts came roaring back in the second half.
While India had a brilliant start to the World Cup campaign with a 5-0 drubbing of South Africa, Belgium were far from impressive in their fighting 2-1 win over lowly Canada.
Today in Men's Hockey World Cup: India vs Belgium - When and where to watch
Keeping in mind, eight-time Olympic champions India's only World Cup crown came way back in 1975, Manpreet Singh's men will look to re-write history and this time in front of their home crowd.
Hockey World Cup 2018, India vs Belgium: Squads
India: PR Sreejesh, Krishna Bahadur Pathak, Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (c), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Simranjeet Singh.
Belgium: Vincent Vanasch, Loic Van Doren, Arthur De Sloover, Arthur Van Doren, Loïck Luypaert, Alexander Hendrickx, Gauthier Boccard, Emmanuel Stockbroekx, Simon Gougnard, John-John Dohmen, Victor Wegnez, Felix Denayer, Sébastien Dockier, Cédric Charlier, Tom Boon, Thomas Briels, Florent van Aubel, Nicolas De Kerpel
Live Blog
Hosts India started their campaign with a 5 -0 drubbing of South Africa on Wednesday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, and will look to repeat the same domination when they lock horns against World No. 3 Belgium on Sunday.
India vs Belgium ends in a 2-2 DRAW!
Clearly, Belgium were a better team at the start of the match, they thoroughly dominated the first half. But, India came roaring back in the second to ensure they remain unbeaten.
GOAAALLLL.
It's not over yet, says Belgium! Excellent strategy from the Men in Red. Their goalkeeper runs into the outfield as they go all attack for the equaliser. Some sort of confusion inside the striking circle before Belgium's Simon Gougnard beats Sreejesh from between his legs to scores! India should have not conceded that one, especially when the goalie came off too.
India 2 -2 Belgium
The atmosphere is electrifying at the Kalinga Stadium right now!
GOALLLLLL!
That was a fantastic goal, India! Kothajit Singh sprints from the left and crosses the ball in, Simranjeet Singh only has to tap it into the nets! he was alert and clever there. FYI, he was a part of the Indian team that won gold in Junior World Cup in 2016 in Lucknow.
India 2 - 1 Belgium
End of Q3: The Indian team have charged on their pace game, they are going really fast. A lead around the corner, hopefully? India's possession is now up to 46% and this indicates how well they have made a come back from a poor start.
GOALLLL.
India convert a penalty stroke into a lovely goal. Harmanpreet, you beauty! The Kalinga Stadium go from being quiet into loud celebrations.
India 1 - 1 Belgium
Game on now!
Half-time whistle!
Belgium had almost scored their second goal but India somehow have managed it to be just 1-0 in the favour of the tourists. The crowd at the Kalinga Stadium is quiet. India have to really execute their strategy properly here in order to escape a loss.
Akshadeep is back, India are back to 11. The hosts have had their tiny moments but nothing major and they continue to lack behind their opponents in terms of pace and ball movement.
Another miss for India: Dilpreet attempts to score but his angle was really tight. But he had Lalit in the centre. A second big miss for the hosts here.
Second quarter begins. So far, Belgium have been the better side. They have been quicker and have sent more time inside the circle than their opponents,
India 0 - 1 Belgium
Q 1 ends with India's Mandeep Singh missing a chance to score! He was hardly away from the target but ends with a poor miss.
India 0 - 1 Belgium
GOALLLLL
India 0 - 1 Belgium
Belgium once again are successful in converting a penalty corner into a goal. Alexander Hendrickx scores by flicking the ball under the legs of Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh.
India have not even reached the Belgium side. The men in red have had total control of the ball so far. India certainly have to slow them down in order to avoid any trouble.
A foul from Surender Kumar gives Belgium their first penalty corner. The No. 3 side get another one but the goalie makes a good save to save India here.
India vs Belgium:
Matches - 19
India won - 5
Belgium won - 13
Draw - 1
The World Cup numbers certainly are not in India's favour but can our men outdo the World No. 3 side today?
India vs Belgium: Head to Head
No of matches: 30
Belgium lead 14-14 India
Will Manpreet Singh and Co square it off to 14-14 today? Stay tuned!
The Indian team has taken the field for the warm-up before the national anthems take place on Day 5 of the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 in Bhubneshwar, Odisha.
Canada vs South Africa ends here. It's a draw! Although the result won't be of any use to either side, the Canadians would be happier given their GD.
LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR TO GO FOR INDIA VS BELGIUM!
Stay tuned, guys!
Indian and Belgium fans are gearing up outside the Kalinga Stadium!