India men’s hockey team finishes eighth at World Cup after shootout loss to Belgium
The India men’s hockey team concluded its World Cup campaign by finishing eighth after a penalty shootout loss to Belgium. The match ended in a 3-3 draw during regulation time before Belgium secured the victory in the shootout.
The hosts started strongly, with Abhishek scoring a field goal in the sixth minute to give India a 1-0 lead. Belgium, however, applied pressure and eventually equalized through Roman Duvekot. Hugo Labouchere then put Belgium ahead with a drag-flick from a penalty corner, giving them a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Second Half Comeback and Shootout Drama
India responded in the second half, with captain Harmanpreet Singh converting a penalty corner in the 31st minute to level the score at 2-2. Despite Belgium challenging the goal, the decision stood in India’s favour. The third quarter remained competitive, with both teams creating opportunities.
Belgium regained the lead in the 47th minute when Nicolas de Kerpel scored a field goal. This goal was also reviewed for a possible obstruction but was upheld, making the score 3-2. During this period, Manpreet Singh sustained a facial injury from a mistimed shot and left the field for medical attention.
With time winding down, India removed their goalkeeper to add an extra outfield player. This strategic move paid off when Harmanpreet Singh scored in the 60th minute, bringing the score to 3-3 and forcing a penalty shootout.
The shootout began with challenges for India. Harmanpreet’s initial attempt was saved by Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. Belgium converted their first attempt, and Vanasch also saved Sukhjeet Singh’s shot. Shilanand Lakra eventually scored for India, and Dilpreet Singh later converted to tie the shootout at 2-2.
Belgium took the lead again through a penalty stroke after Mohith was penalized for a foul on Van Dessel, which Hendrickx converted. Abhishek scored to keep India’s hopes alive, making it 3-3 in the shootout. The decisive moment came when Duvekot scored for Belgium. India’s referral to overturn the decision was unsuccessful, leading to Belgium’s victory in the shootout and securing their seventh-place finish.
Reflecting on Tournament Performance
India’s performance at the World Cup has been viewed in different ways. One perspective aligns with their world ranking, suggesting that the eighth-ranked team finishing eighth in the tournament follows a certain logic. However, a closer look reveals inconsistencies in their play.
The team’s games have been characterized by moments of disorganization and a defense that has been described as porous. In a match against Belgium, India committed a notable error by having 11 outfield players, resulting in the captain being sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. This contrasts with their previous approach under coach Craig Fulton, who emphasized controlled games and a structured system, which contributed to their bronze medal win at the 2024 Olympics.
Over the past two Pro League campaigns in 2025 and 2026, India conceded 77 goals in 32 games. This defensive vulnerability has been a recurring issue in the World Cup, as they continued to give away numerous opportunities from open play. Despite once being recognized for their strong out-of-possession play, this has not been evident in the recent tournament.
During the World Cup, India faced four higher-ranked teams, including Belgium and the Netherlands. They managed one draw and lost three matches against these opponents. Across 240 minutes in these four games, India held the lead for approximately 30 minutes. The team’s results in the World Cup included a 3-1 win against Wales, a 2-4 loss to England, a 5-3 victory over Pakistan, a 1-3 loss to the Netherlands, and a 3-5 loss to Argentina, culminating in the 3-3 draw against Belgium, which Belgium won via a shootout.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
