Hockey World Cup 2018- India draw 2-2 against Belgium

India drew 2-2 against Belgium in their second Pool C clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Image Credits: Twitter/@FIH_Hockey

India on Sunday recorded a 2-2 draw against Belgium in their second Pool C clash of the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018. 

The visitors struck early on and dominated proceedings till half-time. However, the hosts made a stunning comeback to lead 2-1 with just a few minutes on the clock. 

Sadly, the defenders failed to deliver the goods when it mattered the most, conceeding a vital equaliser in the last few minutes. 

Here are the highlights:

# The match has ended 2-2! 

# Belgium have equalised with just four minutes to go following a poor defensive performance by the Indian backline! Can India strike back! 

# India have mounted a comeback of sorts against Belgium after trailing early on against the visitors! They will be looking to maintain this lead in the remaining seven minutes! 

# India lead 2-1! 

# Goal! India lead the game following a brilliant goal by Simranjeet Singh who has been sensational to say the least! 

# The 4th Quarter is underway! 

# End of the Third Quarter! 

# India lead 1-1 against Belgium! 

# India have equalised against Belgium in a crucial clash following a penalty! 

# However, the misfiring attack has failed to convert this opportunity, as the Belgians heave a sigh of relief! 

# The Indian team has earned it's first penalty corner of the game following a successful referral and will be looking to take full advantage.  

# The third quarter is underway! 

# The second quarter ends with Belgium maintaining their 1-0 lead against India!  

# With just two minutes left for the end of the second quarter, the clash is slightly tilted in favour of the Belgians who have left the hosts frustrated with their teamplay and confidence!    

# India continue to charge forward in an attempt to gain control of the clash but the visitors continue to surge in a steady yet relentless fashion. 

# The Indian attack is charging with renewed vigour but the Belgian gameplay is well-coordinated with inch-perfect passes making an equaliser all the more tougher!  

# The second quarter is underway! 

# End of first quarter! 

# Around 30 seconds to go for the end of the first quarter as India mount a serious attack for the first time so far! Mandeep is gifted a beautiful opportunity to score but fails to convert effectively under pressure!     

# Belgium continue to dominate the game as the Indian attackers struggle to make their presence felt in a vital clash!  

# Belgium 1-0 India! 

# Goal! Silence around the stadium as Belgium take an early lead following a slick finish by the attackers who have dominated gameplay so far. The Indian defence failed to close down effectively resulting in an early goal!   

# However, the attack has been broken down by the Belgian defenders following a poor pass by Akashdeep Singh!  

# Penalty corner for Belgium which has been cleared by the Indian defence! India look to counter and grab control of the game!  

# Belgium are looking to dominate the clash early on with some slick passing and intelligent gameplay.  

# The first quarter is underway! 

# Here is the Indian lineup for the clash: 

Here are the 11 men who will step out on the turf to face @BELRedLions for Team India’s second match of the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.#IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey #INDvBEL pic.twitter.com/KTYhMP0Tfc

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018

# Akashdeep Singh has been one to watch out and will be looking to register another strong performance against the hosts! 

# India will be looking to make it two out of two against Belgium following a 5-0 win against South Africa!  

India’s victory at the 1975 Men’s World Cup is embedded in our sporting history. As Team India looks to recreate this feat at the OHMWC Bhubaneswar 2018, legends from the 1975 title-winning team wish them good luck. #INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018 #DilHockey pic.twitter.com/7FVUZwlChj

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 2, 2018

# Sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore has a message in store for the Indian Hockey team!  

Sending my best wishes to the @TheHockeyIndia for their upcoming match against Belgium. May your #hockey sticks rule the field, may your game sweep us off our feet! Go India Go #INDvBEL #IndiaKaGame #HWC2018

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 2, 2018

The Men in Blue, who have already set the tone for the rest of the tournament following their winning start against South Africa, will now aim to captilize on the same. 

Belgium, on the other hand, were made to work hard against minnows Canada before eventually claiming a 2-1 victory to kick start the campaign on a winning note.

The clash is of great significance considering the fact that table toppers from each group gain direct entry to the quarterfinals. 

India, led by Manpreet Singh will be looking to lift the World Cup after 43 years, after winning the title back in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur.  

India, led by Manpreet Singh, are eyeing to end their 43-year-long hunt for the World Cup, a title which they won only once way back in 1975 with a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur.

Belgium on the other hand will be looking to put up a strong fight having emerged as silver-medallists in the 2016 Rio Olympics. 

The two squads are as follows:

India: PR Sreejesh (gk), Krishna Bahadur Pathak (gk), Harmanpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Varun Kumar, Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Surender Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (C), Chinglensana Singh Kangujam, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Simranjeet Singh.

Belgium: Vincent Vanasch (gk), Loic Van Doren (gk), Arthur De Sloover, Arthur Van Doren, Loïck Luypaert, Alexander Hendrickx, Gauthier Boccard, Emmanuel Stockbroekx, Simon Gougnard, John-John Dohmen, Victor Wegnez, Felix Denayer, Sébastien Dockier, Cédric Charlier, Tom Boon, Thomas Briels (C), Florent van Aubel and Nicolas De Kerpel.