FIH Pro League: Indian women go down fighting against Belgium in opening fixture
Zee News
Trailing by a goal, India started putting pressure on the Belgian defence and midfield. They even created an opportunity in the opening minutes, but Neha's pass to Salima Tete inside the circle went wide.
Antwerp (Belgium): A rusty-looking Indian women's hockey team gave away possession quite easily a number of times before putting up a fight in the fourth quarter but eventually lost 1-2 to Belgium in its first of the two-legged FIH Pro League tie here on Saturday. An attacking start to the match saw both the teams creating opportunities in the opening minutes, but it was Belgium who got better as they took the lead through captain Nelen Barbara in the third minute. The hosts piled pressure on India with their structured attack and earned two penalty corners in the 5th and 7th respectively, but the Indian defence stood tall to deny them from scoring the second goal.
Minutes later, India earned their first penalty corner of the match, but Rani's attempt went off target, thus missed out on fetching an equaliser in the first quarter.
Trailing by a goal, India started putting pressure on the Belgian defence and midfield. They even created an opportunity in the opening minutes, but Neha's pass to Salima Tete inside the circle went wide.
An intriguing match, but not in our favour!
On to the next one, tomorrow. _
