FIH Hockey Pro League: Resilient Indian men beat Belgium in shootout

Antwerp: Sensational effort by experienced India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and on-target attack in a thrilling shootout saw India beat Olympic Champions Belgium 5-4 in the FIH Hockey Pro League match here on Saturday. It was a penalty stroke save by Sreejesh off an attempt by Nicolas de Kerpel during the shootout that ensured India were victorious while Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Lalit Upadhyay, Shamsher Singh and Akashdeep Singh converted for India.

Earlier during the regulation time, Indian Men's Hockey team held their nerves, making a brilliant comeback in the final quarter to overcome a 1-3 deficit only to hold Belgium 3-3 and take the encounter to a thrilling shootout.

Both teams lived up to the billing as their built on their rivalry from hooter-to-hooter in a packed stadium.

It was goals from Harmanpreet Singh (52') and Jarmanpreet Singh (57') that brought India back to the game in the fourth quarter after Shamsher Singh (18') opened the scoreboard in the second quarter while Cedric Charlier (21'), Simon Gougnard (36') and Nicolas de Kerpel (51') scored for the reigning Olympic Champions.

Also read: Tied at same points, India face Belgium in crucial FIH Pro League double-header

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