The Indian men's hockey team thrashed Olympic champions Belgium 5-1 in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 being played at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London on Friday.
The Indian team made a spectacular comeback in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 after consecutive losses in their European leg. Earlier, the Indian team lost 1-2 to Belgium on 26 May in the opening match of the European leg and then lost 2-4 to Great Britain the next day. After this win, India slipped to the second position in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 points table.
Meanwhile, Vivek Sagar Prasad (1st minute), Harmanpreet Singh (20th, 29th), Amit Rohidas (28th), and Dilpreet Singh (60th) scored for India. Whereas for Belgium, William Ghislain scored the only goal in the 45th minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh has scored the most goals in the matches played so far in FIH Pro League 2022-23. He has 15 goals in 11 matches.
India is now on the second spot in the points table with 22 points. At the same time, Great Britain is at the first position with 25 points. This was the first away win for India in the FIH Pro League 2022-23 season. The Indian men's hockey team will now play its next match on June 3, ie against Great Britain, which will start at 5:10 pm IST.
Midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad opened the scoring for India in the second minute of the play. Harmanpreet Singh (21', 30') scored a brace. While Amit Rohidas (30') and Dilpreet Singh (60') netted India's fourth and fifth goals, respectively. A goal from Belgium in the first minute of the fourth quarter by forward William Ghislain pushed India to commit more numbers at the back. However, lack of finishing from the penalty corners cost Belgium on the day as India, courtesy of collective passing and finishing from Dilpreet Singh, pumped in their fifth goal.
