India vs Belgium : The reigning champions, 2-1. At the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Thursday, the Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 2-1 defeat to the reigning champions, Belgium, marking their first Olympic defeat.
The sixth-ranked Indian hockey team took the lead with a goal from Abhishek (18′), but world-ranked Belgium took the lead with goals from Thibeau Stockbroekx (33′) and John-John Dohmen (44′) to secure three points.
Belgium controlled the first few minutes and put the Indian defense to the test frequently. But Indians goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made sure the team ended the opening quarter without giving up.
Harmapreet’ s squad scored early in the second quarter of the match thanks to their first-quarter resilience.To give India the lead, Abhishek took advantage of a defensive blunder by the defending champions and hammered it low to the keeper’s right.
Following the goal, both teams had a few good opportunities through penalty corners, but India—the bronze medallists from Tokyo 2020—maintained their one-goal lead. Thibeau Stockbroekx’s first goal of the season in the first few minutes following the half gave Belgium’s domination its just desserts.
Thibeau Stockbroekx’s first goal of the season was the catalyst for Florent van Aubel’s decision to go to halftime. Before Stockbroekx completed the shot from close range, Florent van Aubel created the opening. The 2018 world champions gained the lead from substitute John-John Dohmen at the start of the third quarter.
The first stop was made by Sreejesh, but Dohmen was in the proper spot to finish it because the Indian players were outnumbered inside the D. In the last quarter, Belgium’s defense stayed unscathed and maintained their lead until the final siren, winning their fourth straight game .
The Indian men’s hockey team had already confirmed their quarterfinal spot before Thursday’s game. They drew with the 2016 champions Argentina and won two games, against Ireland and New Zealand.In their last Pool B hockey match for the Paris 2024 Olympics, world No. 4 Australia—the silver medalists from Tokyo 2020—will play India on Friday.