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Indian junior men's hockey team kicks off Europe tour with win over Belgium. Image- The Bridge
The Indian junior men's hockey team started its Europe tour with a 2-2 (4-2 shootout) win over Belgium in Antwerp. India took the lead at the beginning of the game based on a penalty stroke by vice-captain Shardanand Tiwari(3'). They maintained their rhythm in the first quarter and maintained their lead till the break.
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In the second quarter, the vice-captain completed his brace (27') with another penalty stroke to double the team's lead as the half ended with the visitors leading 2–0. At the beginning of the third quarter, Belgium reduced the goal deficit to one by converting a penalty corner. There were no further goals in the quarter as the score read 2–1 in favor of the Indian junior men's hockey team at the end of the third quarter.
Although India had a one-goal lead in the last quarter, Belgium did not give them much respite and kept the pressure on them. With only a few minutes left in the game, Belgium equalized by converting another penalty corner. Since no more goals were scored in the stipulated time, the fourth quarter ended with the score 2–2, and the game went to a shootout.
Gurjot Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Dilraj Singh, and Manmeet Singh scored for the Indian team in the penalty shoot-out. At the same time, goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh made two brilliant saves and started their Europe tour by winning the penalty shoot-out 4-2. of.
The Indian hockey team will face Belgium, Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push, and Germany
During the Tour, the Indian junior men’s hockey team will compete against Belgium, Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push, and Germany. They will play its next match against Belgium on 22 May in Breda, Netherlands, followed by a match against Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push on 23rd May, in Breda. The Team will then face off against Germany on 28th May, in Monchengladbach and on 29th May, in Breda to bring their Tour to a close.