Belgium Crush India 5–1 in FIH Pro League Clash

India’s early lead erased as Belgium convert five penalty corners in dominant second-half display

Antwerp — The Indian Women’s Hockey Team suffered a heavy 1–5 defeat at the hands of Belgium in their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 match on Saturday in Antwerp. Despite taking an early lead, India were overwhelmed by Belgium’s persistent pressure and penalty corner conversions.

India started on the backfoot as Belgium pressed aggressively from the opening whistle, earning their first penalty corner within the first minute. Although India’s defence held firm initially and goalkeeper Savita made a sharp early save, the pressure kept mounting.

Against the run of play, India drew first blood in the 6th minute. Their first meaningful attack led to a penalty corner, and Deepika capitalised with a strike that deflected off a Belgian defender into the goal. That early goal gave India a temporary edge and raised hopes of an upset.

In the second quarter, India displayed resilience in midfield, occasionally breaking through Belgium’s high press. Navneet Kaur’s brilliant solo run on the right flank earned India two back-to-back penalty corners. On the rebound, Navneet unleashed a powerful shot, but Belgian goalkeeper Elena Sotgiu was equal to the task. Bichu Devi also made a crucial save just before halftime to deny Belgium an equaliser.

However, Belgium began to dominate after the break. With 10 circle entries compared to India’s four by halftime, the hosts kept piling on the pressure. It finally paid off in the 37th minute when Helene Brasseur scored off Belgium’s fifth penalty corner to level the score. That breakthrough changed the game’s momentum completely.

Just minutes later, Lucie Breyne netted Belgium’s second goal from yet another penalty corner in the 41st minute, giving the hosts a 2–1 lead. India struggled to regain control and barely threatened the Belgian circle for the remainder of the match.

In the final quarter, Belgium turned the screws. Ambre Ballenghien made it 3–1 in the 54th minute with a composed finish, followed by Brasseur converting her second goal — Belgium’s fourth — from a penalty corner a minute later. As India reeled, Belgium earned a penalty stroke in the 58th minute, which Charlotte Englebert calmly converted to complete the 5–1 rout.

Notably, all five of Belgium’s goals came from penalty corner situations — a testament to their clinical set-piece execution and India’s inability to contain them in the circle.

Despite a promising start, India’s defence crumbled under relentless Belgian pressure. Their struggle to maintain possession and defend penalty corners proved costly.

India will get a chance to redeem themselves when they face Belgium again on Sunday at 4:30 PM IST.