India's Horrific FIH Pro League Run Continues With 2-4 Defeat To Belgium

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 22:22 IST

India suffered a third straight defeat at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, losing 2-4 to Belgium in the FIH Pro League. Alexander Hendrickx scored twice as Belgium dominated early.

India’s challenging performance in the Rourkela leg of the FIH Pro League persisted as they endured a 2-4 loss to Belgium, marking their third straight defeat at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

This was the second encounter between the two teams in this leg, with Belgium having previously secured a 3-1 victory. Subsequently, India faced a crushing 0-8 defeat by Argentina.

Alexander Hendrickx (14th, 17th minutes) spearheaded the Belgian attack with two goals, complemented by scores from Hugo Labouchere (11th) and Arthur de Sloover (15th).

India’s defensive efforts improved in the second half, maintaining a clean sheet, but goals by Aditya Lalage (24th) and captain Harmanpreet Singh (37th) were insufficient to overcome the early deficit.

Belgium started strong and quickly took control. Although India vice-captain Hardik Singh thrilled the crowd with an early run, the hosts struggled to challenge the Belgian defence.

India thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute, but the goal was disallowed.

Belgium seized the momentum, earning their first penalty corner in the 11th minute, which Labouchere converted successfully.

The pressure continued, and in the 14th minute, Hendrickx doubled the lead with a powerful drag-flick from another penalty corner.

Despite Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera’s crucial save moments later, Belgium scored again in the final minute of the quarter.

Using a variation on their third penalty corner, a series of short passes set up de Sloover to make it 3-0.

Belgium resumed their dominance in the second quarter. Earning their fourth penalty corner in the 17th minute, Hendrickx extended the lead to 4-0 with his drag-flick.

Desperate for a response, India pushed forward.

The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Abhishek dribbled past the Belgian defence and fired a shot. Although goalkeeper Loic Van Doren made the initial save, Lalage seized the rebound to score.

Belgium earned their fifth penalty corner in the closing moments of the half, but the strike missed the target.

The third quarter was more balanced.

In the 36th minute, India successfully cleared Belgium’s sixth penalty corner.

Shortly after, a brilliant run by Sukhjeet Singh earned India a penalty corner. Captain Harmanpreet converted it in the 37th minute, scoring his first goal of the 2025-26 season to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

The teams continued to compete fiercely for the rest of the quarter.

Karkera made a solid save against another Belgian penalty corner, and Van Doren denied Harmanpreet’s strike from India’s second penalty corner in the 44th minute.

India began the final quarter with urgency, nearly making it 4-3, but Van Doren made an excellent save.

Two minutes later, Indian goalkeeper Pawan thwarted a dangerous Belgian attack. As time ran down, Belgium adopted an aggressive approach to secure the win.

Pawan made a crucial double save in the 56th minute to keep India’s hopes alive, but despite their best efforts in the final two minutes, the resolute Belgian defence held firm.

India will play their final match of the Rourkela leg on Sunday against Argentina.

(With PTI Inputs)

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