Belgium triumphed 3-1 over India in an edge-of-the-seat FIH Men’s Pro League match at Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Stadium on Wednesday. Onana, Croons, and Van Desse scored for the visitors, overshadowing Lakra’s spirited equalizer for the home team.
From the outset, the game crackled with intensity. A fourth-minute penalty corner for Belgium was repelled by Prasad’s daring save. India’s response set-piece went unrewarded. Belgium’s possession game was countered by India’s aggressive pressing and breakaways, maintaining a goalless first quarter despite Boon’s wayward drag-flick.
The second quarter ignited when Onana finished Croons’ through-ball. India leveled through Lakra’s quick reaction to Rohidas’s saved shot. Defenses dominated the third, with Singh’s goal-line heroics denying Hendrickx.
Tension peaked in the final quarter. India’s counter via Sharma to Selvam faltered at the crucial moment. Belgium countered ruthlessly—Balthazar’s baseline cross met Croons’ deflection, then Croons teed up Van Desse. The victory cements Belgium’s dominance, but India’s fightback signals promising depth in their squad.