India finish eighth at FIH World Cup after shoot-out defeat to Belgium

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Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a crucial last-gasp penalty corner to force a shoot-out, but India ultimately finished eighth at the FIH World Cup following a 3-4 loss to co-hosts Belgium on Friday.

World No. 2 Belgium held a 3-2 lead until the closing moments before India won a penalty corner with only 26 seconds left on the clock. Harmanpreet cleanly converted the opportunity for his eighth goal of the tournament, locking the score at 3-3 at the end of regulation time.

In the ensuing shootout, Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, and Abhishek converted their attempts, but Belgium held their nerve to win 4-3. Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover, Alexander Hendrickx, and Roman Duvekot scored for Belgium, while Victor Fourbert missed his chance.

Earlier in regulation time, Abhishek put India ahead in the sixth minute when his shot deflected off a Belgian defender’s stick. Belgium quickly responded in the second quarter, drawing level through Duvekot in the 22nd minute before Labouchere converted a drag-flick a minute later to take a 2-1 lead into half-time.

Harmanpreet restored parity in the 31st minute via a penalty corner. Soon after, Hendrickx appeared to give Belgium the lead, but India successfully referred the call to have the goal disallowed.

India’s tournament ceremony

India missed a chance to take the lead in the 40th minute when Abhishek’s attempt off a Harmanpreet pass went wide. Belgium then capitalised in the 47th minute as de Kerpel scored to make it 3-2.

India faced another setback in the final quarter when veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh was struck near the eye by a high-speed shot from Labouchere, forcing him off the pitch before he returned for the shootout.

Chasing the game, India replaced their goalkeeper with an extra outfield player, leading to Harmanpreet’s 60th-minute equaliser. However, the shootout ended India’s campaign in eighth place.

India had started their campaign hoping to end a 51-year World Cup medal drought, beating Wales 3-1 and Pakistan 5-3 before losing 2-4 to England in the opening round. They failed to pick up points in the second round, losing 1-3 to the Netherlands and 3-5 to Argentina. Belgium also missed out on the semi-finals after 1-1 draws against Australia and Spain.

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