Paris 2024 Olympics Hockey – The Indian men’s hockey team suffered its first defeat at the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing 2-1 to defending champions Belgium at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Thursday.
India, ranked sixth in the world, took an early lead with a goal from Abhishek in the 18th minute. However, Belgium, the world’s number one team, responded with goals from Thibeau Stockbroekx (33’) and John-John Dohmen (44’) to secure the victory and three points.
Belgium dominated the early stages of the game, relentlessly challenging the Indian defense. However, Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh ensured that India finished the first quarter without conceding a goal.
India’s resistance in the first quarter paid off early in the second quarter when Abhishek capitalized on a defensive error by the reigning champions, smashing the ball low to the keeper’s right to give India the lead.
Both teams had opportunities to score through penalty corners immediately after the goal, but India, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists, maintained their one-goal advantage.
Belgium’s persistence paid off in the early minutes after the half-time break when Thibeau Stockbroekx scored his first goal of the campaign, assisted by Florent van Aubel.
On the brink of the third quarter, substitute John-John Dohmen put the 2018 world champions ahead. Although Sreejesh made the initial save, the Indian defenders were outnumbered, allowing Dohmen to finish from close range.
In the final quarter, Belgium’s defense remained solid and unthreatened, holding on to their lead until the final whistle to win their fourth consecutive match.
Prior to Thursday’s match, the Indian men’s hockey team had already secured their quarter-final berth, having won two matches against Ireland and New Zealand, and drawn against the 2016 champions Argentina.
India will face world number four Australia, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists, in their final Pool B match of the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey tournament on Friday.