Match 1:
India 2 Belgium 1 Aggressive play by Indian Men’s Hockey Team ensured they beat World No.1 Belgium 2-1 in a thrilling encounter to keep up their winning form in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2020. It was goals by Mandeep Singh (2′) and Ramandeep Singh (46′) that saw India gain the winning points against the World Champions here at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar on an overcast Saturday evening. With this sensational victory, India consolidated their World Ranking from No.5 to World No.4 for the first time since the World Ranking system was introduced in 2003.
After getting off to a rollicking start in their maiden FIH Hockey Pro League with a formidable 5-2 and (3-3) 3-1 win against the Netherlands, hosts India did well to halt the World Champions’ winning streak in the on-going FIH Hockey Pro League 2020. Coming into this match with (2-2) 4-2 and 4-2 win against Australia and a splendid 6-2 and 3-1 win against New Zealand, the World No.1 side struggled to convert their chances against India. Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak was adjudged Odisha Player of the Match for his brave performance.
Match 2:
India 2 Belgium 3 World No.1 Belgium come-up with dominant performance to beat India 3-2 in a high-voltage match here at the on-going FIH Hockey Pro League 2020 on Sunday. It was goals by Alexander Hendrickx (3′), Maxime Plennevaux (17′ & 26′) that ensured Belgium’s victory while goals by Vivek Sagar Prasad (15′), Amit Rohidas (17′) kept India in the hunt till the final hooter.
After losing their first match of the season, World Champions Belgium ensured they made a fine start to their campaign today. It was Alexander Hendrickx who was impeccable to score off a penalty corner in the 3rd minute to give Belgium a 1-0 lead and push India on the back-foot early in the game. But seconds before the first hooter, young gun Vivek Sagar Prasad equalised after India defender Surender Kumar set up this crucial goal, tackling past two Belgians defenders to drive in from the left flank to assist Vivek positioned in front of the goal mouth. Both teams upped the ante in the second quarter, rallying with speed and tactical play to make quick circle penetrations.
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team will next take on Australia on 21st & 22nd February 2020 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
-TIN Bureau
Indians win FIH awards
Hockey India on Monday congratulated the Indian Men’s Hockey Team midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad on being adjudged the FIH Star Player of the Year 2019, and the Indian Women’s Hockey Team striker Lalremsiami on being adjudged the FIH Rising Star of the Year 2019.
Vivek who made his International debut for the Indian Men’s Team in January 2018 during a tour to New Zealand was part of the Indian Team that won the FIH Men’s Hockey Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha 2019. He also played a key role in the Indian Team’s performance at FIH Olympic Qualifiers in November last year where they edged out Russia to earn their ticket to 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lalremsiami, who made her International debut in 2018, was part of the Team’s success FIH Women’s Hockey Series Finals Hiroshima 2019. She also played a key role in the Indian Team’s performance at FIH Olympic Qualifiers in November last year where they edged out USA to earn their ticket to 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was also part of the team that won the Olympic Test Event in Tokyo.