India and Belgium have advanced to the knockout stages of the men’s hockey tournament at the ongoing Paris Olympics. This development follows Argentina’s 2-0 victory over New Zealand and Belgium’s 6-2 thrashing of Australia in Pool B.
India’s Journey to the Quarter-Finals
India’s men’s hockey team solidified their place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 2-0 win over Ireland. The victory, coupled with Argentina’s win over New Zealand, temporarily placed India at the top of Pool B. However, Belgium’s decisive win over Australia later that day moved them to the top spot, relegating India to second place.
India began their campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win against New Zealand, followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Argentina, thanks to a late equalizer from skipper Harmanpreet Singh.
Key Moments from the Match Against Ireland
- Dominant Start: India started aggressively, earning their first penalty corner within two minutes, although Harmanpreet’s drag flick was blocked by an Irish defender.
- First Goal: Persistent pressure led to a penalty stroke after Mandeep Singh was fouled inside the D. Harmanpreet converted the stroke, giving India a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.
- Second Quarter: India continued their dominance, earning three consecutive penalty corners. Harmanpreet scored his second goal of the match with a powerful drag flick in the 19th minute, extending the lead to 2-0.
- Game Control: With a comfortable lead, India focused on maintaining possession, effectively keeping Ireland at bay to seal the victory.
Belgium’s Performance
Belgium maintained their flawless run in the tournament, securing their third consecutive win. Their 6-2 victory over Australia ensured they topped Pool B with nine points from three matches.
Current Standings
- Belgium: 1st place in Pool B with nine points from three matches.
- India: 2nd place in Pool B with seven points from three matches.
Conclusion
India’s solid performance in the group stage, particularly the clinical win over Ireland, has set a positive tone for their campaign in the knockout rounds. Both India and Belgium have shown their prowess and will be key contenders in the upcoming stages of the tournament.
