From the mediocre to the sublime, Belgium progressed wonderfully as it fought back from 1-4 to share the honours with India in the first Test of the hockey series at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Friday. India led 3-0 at half-time.
India started wonderfully well, reminiscent of its excellent Asia Cup performance. Forwards ran in at full speed backed up by excellent co-ordination from midfield and deep defence. There was nothing Belgium could do to stop the Indian juggernaut in the first half.
Belgium looked like amateurs making the goodly gathering wonder if this was the team that has qualified for the Olympics. The contest gave a glimpse of the task that lies ahead for the host.
India in full flow is a sight to behold. And it was so in the first 35 minutes. Tushar Kandhekar unleashed a fantastic backhander from the edge of the circle off a pass from Roshan Minz to open the account.
Rajpal Singh was quick to grab the ball in a counter-attack. Rajpal and Shivender Singh combined wonderfully to increase the lead. Shivender netted the goal on-the-run.
Belgium made feeble attempts to score but nothing came from it. The forwardline lacked the speed and the vigour to make a match out of it in the first session. Raghunath unleashed a perfect drag-flick off the team’s first perfect penalty corner as India went into the break 3-0.
Jerome Dekeyser quietly netted one after resumption but that still didn’t trigger the minds of the spectators, who thought India would romp home. To enhance the impression, Raghunath made it 4-1 with another strike off a penalty corner. This was the time when the visitor’s forward and midfield started to strike a rhythm.
Briels Thomas made it 4-2 and then Dohmen John John stunned the gathering with an exaggerated scoop into the post. With eight minutes for the hooter, Jerome pulled off an impossible penalty corner strike. Saturday is a rest day. R. Christodas Gandhi, Secretary to Tamil Nadu, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, inaugurated the championship.
The result: India 4 (Tushar Kandhekar, Shivender Singh, Raghunath 2) drew with Belgium 4 (Jerome Dekeyser 2, Briels Thomas, Dohmen John John).
(Courtesy, The Hindu)