Paris 2024 Olympics hockey: India lose 2-1 to defending champions Belgium

The Indian men’s hockey team lost its first match at the Paris 2024 Olympics after going down 2-1 to defending champions Belgium at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes on Thursday.

Abhishek (18’) scored for the sixth-ranked Indian hockey team before Thibeau Stockbroekx (33’) and John-John Dohmen (44’) put world No. 1 Belgium ahead to seal three points.

Belgium dominated the early minutes, relentlessly testing the Indian defence. Keeper PR Sreejesh, however, ensured the Indians finished the first quarter without conceding.

The resistance in the first quarter paved the way for a goal early in the second 15 for Harmapreet’s team. Abhishek capitalised on a defensive error from the reigning champions and smashed it low to the keeper’s right to establish India’s lead.

Both teams had a few presentable opportunities through penalty corners immediately after the goal, but India, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists, held on to their one-goal advantage.

Belgium’s dominance was finally rewarded in the early minutes after the half-time break with Thibeau Stockbroekx scoring his first goal of the campaign. Florent van Aubel set up the opportunity before Stockbroekx finished from close range.

On the brink of the third quarter, the 2018 world champions took a lead from substitute John-John Dohmen. Sreejesh made the initial save, but the Indian players were outnumbered inside the D and Dohmen was there at the right place to finish it.

Belgium’s defence remained unthreatened in the final quarter and held on to their lead until the final whistle to win their fourth match on the trot.

Prior to Thursday’s match, the Indian men’s hockey team had already confirmed their quarter-finals berth. They won two matches - against Ireland and New Zealand - and drew against 2016 champions Argentina.

India will play world No. 4 Australia, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists, in their final Paris 2024 Olympics hockey Pool B match on Friday.