Olympics 2021: Indian men's side go down to Belgium 2-5 in a fiercely contested semifinal

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India loses 5-2 to Belgium in Olympics hockey semifinals

Make sure you check out our full match report of the semifinals from the link above!

India can now look forward to the bronze medal match, where they'll face the loser of the Australia-Germany semifinal. It is scheduled to be played on August 5, 7 am IST!
The men in blue will be hopeful of an Aussie win there as they would like to avoid the mighty Hockeyroos, who have beaten them in 10 of their last 11 meetings!

Wins and losses are a part of life. Our Men’s Hockey Team at #Tokyo2020 gave their best and that is what counts. Wishing the Team the very best for the next match and their future endeavours. India is proud of our players.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2021

Come on team #ind #hockey hold your heads high we still have a match to go. Proud of #IndiaKaGame #StrongerTogether #Cheer4India
— Jagbir Singh OLY (@jagbirolympian) August 3, 2021

Messages of support coming in from all over for the men's team. Leading the applause are former players themselves!

It's difficult to control our emotions right now, or express our feelings. On one hand the happiness of making it into the semifinals after 41 years and still being in contention for the bronze medal. On the other hand, being so close to the gold medal match, and missing out by such a narrow margin.

India have done a spectacular job without a doubt, and should be proud of themselves, but it is hard to not ponder over what could have been done differently, or what it would be like, if we were through to the finals.

Belgium started off the game with control and attack straight away. It took them a total of just 2 minutes to take the early lead and announce themselves. But India were not having it.

India took charge themselves and turned things around. They were fluent and were distributing the ball nicely through the middle. Just a few minutes later they struck back, not with one, but two quick goals to take the lead, just before the close of the first quarter.

India started off the second quarter well too, but the Belgian were consistent with their attacks, they were not easily bullied. They kept their patience and matched India with their high paced game. And later in the second quarter it was Hendrickx who scored the equalizer and gave the Belgians the lead.

The tempo went a notch down in the third quarter but Belgium started enjoying more of the possession and were practically controlling the flow of the game. They got far too many penalty corners but India was up to the challenge to keep them out.

Going into the fourth quarter, things were all square, but at the crunch moment, it was Belgium who comprehensively got the better of India. Again it was that man Alexander Hendrickx who scored two more goals through two penalty corners out of the many they won. A memorable game for Hendrickx who is on top of the game. Sreejesh was removed for an extra outfield player and virtually the goal was open, and Belgium on the counter on the final move, scored their fifth.

India still have a shot at the bronze medal, where they will play either Germany or Australia, where they must not remember the horrors of the past and come afresh with more confidence, and more belief! They've given it their all and they have just one more game to go! Surely they'll want to win the bronze and end on a winning note!

We played our heart out against Belgium, but it just wasn't our day. 💔#INDvBEL #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/I5AzuayqOq
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 3, 2021

Final scoresheet:<Insert Caption>

FT🇮🇳2-5🇧🇪

FULL TIME! @BELRedLions reach the gold medal match for the 2nd Olympics in succession. A hat-trick from Alexander Hendrickx was huge. @TheHockeyIndia were superb, but BEL were just that bit better.

Match info: https://t.co/COFoJsKE3v #Tokyo2020 #Hockey #INDvBEL
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 3, 2021

India will not be going through to the finals of the 2021 Olympics, but what a valiant effort from the men in blue! They just lost the plot in the last quarter as Belgium will now be taking on either Australia or Germany in the summit clash. India still in contention for the Bronze medal!

60' Belgium score their fifth in the final minute.

🇮🇳 2:5 🇧🇪#INDvBEL #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 3, 2021

The scoreline does no justice to the India team, for their efforts and for the game they've played. But at the same time, Belgium deserve this win, and come out on top after a complete and satisfying performance.

FINAL HOOTER! Heartbreak for India as they go down 2-5!

Belgium score another on the counter and that should be curtains now, if it was not already!

Belgium lead 5-2

59' - Vanasch fends off a shot at goal from Harmanpreet, as Belgium SCORE on a counter.

India doing anything and everything in an attempt to equalize but Vanasch keeping them out.

59' - Rupinder , Mapreet and Dilpreet with an attack, but the fail to take a shot.

58' - This is not looking good for India as Belgium come clear once again.

58' - Last two minutes as the Indian forwards look to make something happen.

#Tokyo2020 #Hockey

Belgium are keeping the ball so well. It's game management time.#IND #TeamIndia #Cheer4India #Olympics
— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) August 3, 2021

India remove Sreejesh for an extra outfield player as India continue to run out of time.

57' - More Indian numbers need to go forward as the structures lose meaning now.

56' - India fends off a spirited attack, but need to press now.

Belgium will be looking to just run down the clock now, with India under immense pressure and unable to create space to go up the field and score two.

Q4🇮🇳2-4🇧🇪

GOAL! Hendrickx completes his hat-trick from the penalty spot, and Belgium have a two goal lead with just over 7 minutes left to play. @BELRedLions

Match info: https://t.co/COFoJsKE3v #Tokyo2020 #Hockey #INDvBEL
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 3, 2021

55' - India needs to keep the ball as Belgium looking to run down the clock in the final 5 minutes!

54' - India can't make the forward presses count as Belgium come back in attack.

India do not have the luxury of time, and need to react quickly. They need two goals and they need them quick.

53' - India will have to come up with somethings special as we trial by two goals now.

Hat trick for Alexander Hendrickx as he nails the penalty corner with power.

And Belgium SCORE! Belgium lead 4-2! Hendrickx really turning into the star player for Belgium.

Umpire disagrees! Penalty Stroke!!! Sreejesh was not behind the defender when the ball hit his leg and India in further trouble now!

Sreejesh looks like he had the goalpost covered so India should be clear!

Umpire checking for a Penalty Stroke! Worrying times!

52' - This is pressure as a flurry of Penalty Corners! 5th and 6th as Indian defenders struggle to come out on top!

Far too many penalty corners for Belgium here who are slowly inflicting more and more damage to the Indian contingent.

51' - India concede again. Another Penalty Corner as the defense fails to clear!

51' - Sreejesh SAVES! Puts his body in the between the ball and the post.

51' - Another PC as the ball comes off of Rohidas' foot.

Harmanpreet makes a grave mistake trying to dribble past, being in defense. Belgium with the ball, they attack and win another penalty corner! A chance for Belgium to put the game to bed!

50' - India concede another Penalty Corner! Umpire believes Harmanpreet was deliberate in putting his in Belgium's way.

India looking to keep the ball, but Belgium winning possession on the halfway line to regin the command of the game.

50' - Belgium relentless in attack now as the midfield turns into a battleground.

49' - India still down a man as Belgium continue to attack. The physicality will be crucial here as fatigue begins to kick in!

Olympics 2021: Indian men's side go down to Belgium 2-5 in a fiercely contested semifinal

Catch India vs Belgium Live Score and Updates from semifinal of men's Hockey at Olympics