Shoddy Indian women lose 1-5 against Belgium in FIH Pro League
Antwerp , The Indian women's hockey team's nightmarish run in the FIH Pro League extended with a 1-5 defeat against Belgium here Saturday. HT Image
It was team's fifth consecutive defeat in a row at the the European leg of the tournament having lost two matches each to Australia and Argentina in London.
On Saturday, India took the lead through Deepika before Belgium turned things around after half time, pumping in five goals through Hélène Brasseur , Lucie Breyne , Ambre Ballenghien and Charlotte Englebert .
Belgium started on the offensive and dominated the early share of exchanges with repeated raids into the Indian circle but the visitors defended well.
The hosts had the first scoring chance of the match in the form of a penalty corner but India goalkeeper Savita made a fine save.
After the early onslaught, the Indians got their acts together and made a comeback in the form of a penalty corner, and Deepika made no mistake, scoring with a powerful low flick through the legs of Belgian goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu in the sixth minute.
India controlled the ball in the midfield thereafter but could not create any more chances.
Belgium pressed hard on the Indian defence in the second quarter and in the process secured two penalty corners in the 19th and 21st minutes but on both occasion the Indian defence stood tall.
India too had their chances and in the 23rd minute skipper Salima Tete earned the second penalty corner for her team but failed to capitalise on the chance.
India had just one real chance after the change of ends in the form of their fourth penalty corner but squandered the opportunity.
Thereafter it was all Belgium as the play was mostly inside the Indian half with the hosts pressing hard for goals.
India's strategy to sit back and defence backfired as Belgium earned three back-to-back penalty corners in the 37th minute, the last of which was converted by Hélène Brasseur with a backhand shot.
It was raining penalty corners for Belgium as they earned their 11th set piece minutes later and Lucie Breyne dived to get her stick to guide he ball into the net after it was saved by Savita.
A minute later, Belgium had another penalty corner but wasted the opportunity.
The Indian defence looked clueless in the last two quarters against Belgium's onslaught, conceding penalty corners in heaps and from three such set pieces Ballenghien, Brasseur and Englebert scored to the cheers of the home crowd.
The Indian women will again take on Belgium in return leg match on Sunday.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Some said I will be finished in 8 months but I've played for nearly 10 years: Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah, defying early skepticism about his longevity due to his action and injury history, has celebrated nearly a decade in international cricket, marked by his recent 14th Test five-wicket haul. He dismisses critics who predict his downfall after each injury, emphasizing his focus on preparation and faith in destiny. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads His critics expected him to go from 'boom' to bust within eight to ten months due to his unconventional, injury-prone bowling action, but it is Jasprit Bumrah 's self-belief that has enabled the Indian pace spearhead to complete nearly a decade in international taken his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests on Sunday, Bumrah spoke about his secret recipe for if he feels bad when people write his epitaph after every big injury, Bumrah replied: "People had said in all these years (I will play only) eight months, some said 10 months but now I have played 10 years of international cricket, 12-13 years of IPL."Even now people say (after every injury), he will be finished, he is gone. Let them say, I will do my own work. Every four months these things will crop up, but as long as almighty wants, I will play."I prepare my best, and then will leave it on God as to how much more blessings he will bestow upon me."Bumrah, who took 5 for 83 in England's first innings in the opening Test, said that he is not here to change people's perceptions."What people write is beyond my control and I can't advise people on what to write about me. My name in headline gets viewership but I don't get bothered by that."He said that wicket is good for batting although it might crack up a bit towards the end of the match."At this moment pretty good wicket to bat on. It is a little bit two paced, no big demons in wicket. Due to weather, new ball will swing but that is what you expect in Test cricket . We would like to get a big total and get that cushion."India were guilty of spilling several catches, but Bumrah chose not to dwell on the lapses, preferring instead to focus on what lies ahead."Yeah, just for a second. But you understand that you can't really sit down and cry, isn't it? You have to move forward with the game. So, what I look to do is not to take it too far in my head and try and quickly forget it because all of them are also new to the game."Sometimes the ball is difficult to sight and nobody is dropping the catch purposely. Everybody is trying really hard. It does happen. So, I don't want to create a scene or put more pressure on the fielder that I'm angry, I'm kicking the box or I'm doing something. It's okay."It's part and parcel of the game. Obviously, if it (catches) would have been taken earlier, that's good, but people will learn from this experience," he added.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Prasidh Krishna sets unwanted record despite taking three wickets
Indian fast bowler faced a challenging outing in the first Test against England at Leeds, registering the most expensive economy rate for an Indian bowler who has bowled at least 20 overs in a single spell. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prasidh took three important wickets, removing , , and Jamie Smith, but leaked runs heavily throughout his spell. His figures of 3 for 128 came at an economy rate of 6.40 runs per over, surpassing the previous record held by Varun Aaron, who went for 5.91 per over in Adelaide in 2014. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! England's batters attacked Prasidh relentlessly, forcing him to struggle with his lengths and consistency, although his breakthroughs did help India stay in the contest. This performance is likely to spark conversations about India's pace bowling options and their bench strength in testing overseas conditions. India's Day 3 Test Review: Cloudy skies ahead | Weather twist at Headingley Despite Prasidh's expensive spell, India stayed competitive thanks largely to 's outstanding five-wicket haul that kept the hosts from taking a big first innings lead. England posted 465 in reply to India's total of 471. Quiz: At the end of a rain-affected Day 3, India held a slender advantage with a lead of 96 runs. The visitors finished at 90 for 2 with unbeaten on 47 and captain at the crease on six. With the match finely balanced, both teams will look to seize the initiative as the Test heads into its final stages at Headingley.
Mint
37 minutes ago
- Mint
Some said I will be finished in 8 months but Ive played for nearly 10 years: Bumrah
Leeds, Jun 23 (PTI) His critics expected him to go from 'boom' to bust within eight to ten months due to his unconventional, injury-prone bowling action, but it is Jasprit Bumrah's self-belief that has enabled the Indian pace spearhead to complete nearly a decade in international cricket. Having taken his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests on Sunday, Bumrah spoke about his secret recipe for success. Asked if he feels bad when people write his epitaph after every big injury, Bumrah replied: "People had said in all these years (I will play only) eight months, some said 10 months but now I have played 10 years of international cricket, 12-13 years of IPL. "Even now people say (after every injury), he will be finished, he is gone. Let them say, I will do my own work. Every four months these things will crop up, but as long as almighty wants, I will play. "I prepare my best, and then will leave it on God as to how much more blessings he will bestow upon me." Bumrah, who took 5 for 83 in England's first innings in the opening Test, said that he is not here to change people's perceptions. "What people write is beyond my control and I can't advise people on what to write about me. My name in headline gets viewership but I don't get bothered by that." He said that wicket is good for batting although it might crack up a bit towards the end of the match. "At this moment pretty good wicket to bat on. It is a little bit two paced, no big demons in wicket. Due to weather, new ball will swing but that is what you expect in Test cricket. We would like to get a big total and get that cushion." India were guilty of spilling several catches, but Bumrah chose not to dwell on the lapses, preferring instead to focus on what lies ahead. "Yeah, just for a second. But you understand that you can't really sit down and cry, isn't it? You have to move forward with the game. So, what I look to do is not to take it too far in my head and try and quickly forget it because all of them are also new to the game. "Sometimes the ball is difficult to sight and nobody is dropping the catch purposely. Everybody is trying really hard. It does happen. So, I don't want to create a scene or put more pressure on the fielder that I'm angry, I'm kicking the box or I'm doing something. It's okay. "It's part and parcel of the game. Obviously, if it (catches) would have been taken earlier, that's good, but people will learn from this experience," he added.
