ANTWERPEN: The India ‘A’ men’s hockey team fell to a 1-3 defeat against hosts Belgium on Thursday during their European tour.
Skipper Sanjay netted the only goal for India ‘A’, while Belgium struck all three of their goals in the opening quarter.
Despite the early setback, India regrouped and showed resilience, maintaining possession and generating several scoring opportunities across the next three quarters. Their efforts paid off with a goal in the final quarter.
Reflecting on the match, India ‘A’ coach Shivendra Singh said, “Although we had a shaky start, our overall performance was commendable. We conceded early but managed to regroup well and controlled the second half. The ball positioning was solid, and we created numerous chances—our focus now should be on converting them.”
He also acknowledged the pressure the young squad is under. “These boys are playing against some of the world’s best teams and players, yet they’ve shown remarkable confidence and determination. This tour is about nurturing their talent and preparing them for the future.”
India ‘A’ will now travel back to Eindhoven for two matches against world No. 1 Netherlands, scheduled for July 18 and 20.
