Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team defeat Belgium. © Twitter (@DilipTirkey)
Antwerp May 20th – The Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team started their Europe tour with an electrifying 2-2 (4-2 in the shootout) victory over Belgium. The match, held in Antwerp, showcased the skill and resilience of the young Indian team, setting a promising tone for their tour.
The game began with a bang as Vice-Captain Shardanand Tiwari made an early impact. In just the 3rd minute, Tiwari successfully converted a penalty stroke, putting India ahead. The team maintained their aggressive stance throughout the first quarter, heading into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Tiwari continued his stellar performance in the second quarter. In the 27th minute, he doubled India’s lead with another expertly taken penalty stroke. Thanks to Tiwari’s brace, the first half concluded with India comfortably leading 2-0.
Belgium, however, was far from ready to concede. They struck back early in the third quarter, converting a penalty corner to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Despite Belgium’s efforts to level the score, the Indian defence held firm, ending the third quarter with India still in the lead.
The final quarter was a nail-biter. Belgium ramped up the pressure and, with just minutes left in regulation time, equalized through another penalty corner. The game ended 2-2, pushing the match into a decisive shootout.
In the shootout, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team displayed nerves of steel. Gurjot Singh, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Dilraj Singh, and Manmeet Singh all scored, demonstrating their composure and skill. Goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh was the hero of the moment, making two crucial saves that clinched the 4-2 shootout victory for India.
With this thrilling win, the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team has set a positive tone for their Europe tour. Their next challenge will be another match against Belgium, this time in Breda, Netherlands, on May 22nd. Fans are eagerly anticipating another strong performance from the Indian Colts as they continue to showcase their talents on the international stage.
Stay connected for more updates and detailed coverage of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team’s European tour. For all the latest sports news and match reports, follow our blog and keep supporting our young athletes as they make their mark globally.
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