Hockey World Cup 2018 highlights: India and Belgium settle for a 2-2 draw

In today's first hockey match, Canada hold South Africa to 1-1 draw to keep the cross-over chances wide open.

7:03 PM

1st minute: Belgium reviews for dangerous ball in the India's circle

7:02 PM

1st minute: Belgium pressing in India's 23 metre to start with

7:01 PM

FIRST QUARTER BEGIN

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

Few minutes to go for India vs Belgium live match

6:59 PM

After Belgium Natinal Anthem its time for India national anthem

6:58 PM

Team India and Belgium are linning up for their respective national anthem

6:50 PM

Here's what India head coach Harendra Singh said ahead of India vs Belgium clash

 

"I don't feel any pressure. If you enjoy that pressure you will succeed. What I feel is that for me tomorrow is our pre-quarterfinal match and if we want to directly go into the quarterfinals we will have to win tomorrow," Harendra said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. "We have discussed that in our team meeting and we will take one match at a time." Since 2013, India do not have a good record against Belgium, having won just five and suffered defeats on 13 occasions with one game ending in a draw. Asked about Belgium's threat, Harendra said India need to play to its strength to come out victorious on Sunday. "If we look at their graph in the last 4-5 years, Belgium is a good team. We have to play according to the situation," he said. "In the last 5-6 months the Indian team has set a trademark of playing attacking hockey which is our weapon and we won't compromise on that."

Speaking about the areas that India need to guard against Belgium on Sunday, the India coach said: "We need to take care about the vertical hockey Belgium plays. They don't play parallel hockey of playing the ball back. So, we need to concentrate on that."  Harendra said the World Cup is a new tournament for his team and past results will hardly have any impact. "I don't think about past. I never focussed on mistakes of past but what we do is point out the good things we have done in the past matches. Past is history. Every tournament you have to look it in a new way as new chapter," he said. "Our fault is we discuss a lot about the past but are not willing to live in the present moment. We tend to destroy our future by discussing about past. 

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6:41 PM

Hockey World Cup 2018, Day 5, Match 2: India vs Belgium

The Indian forward line comprising Mandeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Akashdeep Singh and Lalit Upadhyay impressed against South Africa. While Simranjeet scored a brace in india's opening game against South Africa in Odisha World Cup 2018, all three other strikers struck a goal each.

6:40 PM

Hockey World Cup 2018, Day 5, Match 2: India vs Belgium

Their FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 campaign off to a bright start, India will be optimistic of clearing a stern test awaiting them Sunday in the form of world number three Belgium, to guarantee a direct entry into the quarterfinals. Seeking to rewrite history after 43 years, the Indian men's hockey team made a strong start in the elite 16-nation tournament, with a 5-0 thrashing of South Africa on Wednesday. Rio Olympic silver medallist Belgium were far from impressive in their fighting 2-1 win over lowly Canada. Eight-time Olympic champions India's only World Cup crown came way back in 1975. The hosts produced a fine display of attacking hockey to outclass South Africa and would look to continue in the same vein, although consistency is something India has always lacked.

6:34 PM

STAY TUNED for INDIA VS BELGIUM high voltage encounter