Striker Sebastian Dockeier struck twice in Belgium’s 3-1 triumph over India yesterday putting paid to the latter’s hopes of making it to the men’s hockey semi-finals at the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years
Indiau00c3u0083u00c2u00a2u00c3u0082u00c2u0080u00c3u0082u00c2u0099s Sardar Singh (right) and a teammate show their disappointment by staying put on the turf after being beaten by Belgium in the quarter-finals at Rio yesterday
Rio de Janeiro: Striker Sebastian Dockeier struck twice in Belgium’s 3-1 triumph over India yesterday putting paid to the latter’s hopes of making it to the men’s hockey semi-finals at the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years.
India’s Sardar Singh (right) and a teammate show their disappointment by staying put on the turf after being beaten by Belgium in the quarter-finals at Rio yesterday. Pic/AP.PTI
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India, who last won an Olympic medal — a gold at the 1980 Moscow Games, faced an aggressive Belgium side that scored thrice after conceding a goal against the run of play in the 15th minute.
Akashdeep Singh deflected from a close angle but Belgium hit back as Dockeier equalised in the 34th minute.
Dockier gave Belgium the lead in the 45th minute and Tom Boon scored a field goal in the 50th minute to make it 3-1 — the scoreline that remained till the end.
Both the teams went after each other aggressively and Belgium's quick and attacking play kept the Indians guarded. However, the Belgian midfield, led by captain John-john Dohmen proved to be the difference and they kept marching ahead to the Indian circle.
In the 10th minute, Simon Gougnard crossed for Sebastian Dockier but the latter was met with tremendous challenge and could only half-heartedly contacted the ball before it was popped out of danger.
In the final minute of the first quarter, India took the surprising lead as VR Raghunath drilled a long ball 25 yards out straight at the Belgium goal through the middle and Akashdeep deflected the ball on the right post. The ball touched the left leg of goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch before entering the cage.
Belgium got a chance to pull level but Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was all alert to block a deflection from Dohmen and latter Sreejesh again denied a penalty corner from Loick Lupayert as the first 30 minutes of play ended in India's favour.
However, Belgium hit back in the third and penultimate quarter and managed to score two goals through Dockier.
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