5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023: Indian Women and Men's Team Lose Two In Two

Add as a preferred source on Google

Indian Women's and Men's Hockey Team lost their second successive matches when they suffered defeats to Belgium on Saturday (December 16) in the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023.

While the women's team, who opened the tournament with a 2-3 loss to hosts Spain on Friday (December 15), lost 1-2 to the Belgium eves, the men's team, who also lost their opener to Spain, were thumped 2-7 by Belgium men's team.

In the women's match, Belgium rode on goals from Ambre Ballenghien (22') and Louise Versavel (37') to win the match. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (56') scored the only goal for India.

The match was intense from the first whistle, with both teams looking to breach the defence of the other, but a goal was not forthcoming. The teams ended the first quarter on level terms.

The breakthrough finally came in the second quarter as Ambre Ballenghien scored, giving Belgium the 1-0 lead going into the half-time break.

Both teams were eager to score next and it was Louise Versavel's shot on goal, early in the third quarter which extended Belgium's lead in the contest. The Indian eves kept probing Belgium's defence in search of a goal in the last quarter.

In the dying moments of the game, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke found an opening and scored, swinging the momentum in their favour. However, India failed to capitalize further. The Indian Women's Hockey Team will face Germany next at 8 PM IST on 19th December.

In the men's match, Belgium rode on four different goal scorers - a brace each from Thibeau Stockbroekx, Tom Boon and Alexander Hendrickx, and a solitary goal from Cedric Charlier to seal a thumping win, while Abhishek and Jugraj Singh were the two goal scorers for India.

The first quarter saw Belgium off the blocks and running in no time scoring three quick goals courtesy Charlier (1'), Hendrickx (10') and Stockbroekx (13') to put India on the backfoot

Belgium further extended the lead to four goals after another goal from Stockbroekx (16') early in the second quarter before a field goal from Abhishek (18') for India.

This was soon followed up by another goal from Boon (26') for Belgium as India were left trailing 1-5. Close to the end of the second quarter, Jugraj Singh (27') converted a penalty corner for India as the score read 5-2 in favour of Belgium at half-time.

After a goalless third quarter, Boon (46') converted a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter to extend the lead for Belgium by four goals before Hendrickx (53') followed it up later on with another goal.

The Indians were unable to convert the two penalty corners they were awarded in the final quarter as the match ended with them losing 2-7. The Indian Men's Hockey Team will play Germany on 19th December at 3:30 PM IST.

Source: Hockey India