India’s men’s hockey team lose 3-4 in a penalty shootout against co-hosts Belgium after a 3-3 draw in regulation time, ending its FIH World Cup campaign in eighth place. The match is played on Friday in Belgium.
Across regulation time, India take an early lead through Abhishek within the first six minutes. Belgium respond by scoring twice in quick succession to go ahead, before Harmanpreet Singh restores parity in the 31st minute with a brace. Harmanpreet also equalizes again in the dying seconds of the match to make it 3-3 and force the shootout.
In the shootout, India score through Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, and Abhishek, but Belgium ultimately prevail 3-4 by converting more attempts after the teams fail to break the deadlock during the match. Belgium’s scorers in regulation include Roman Duvekot, Hugo Labouchere, and Nicolas de Kerpel, whose goals keep the game tied until the final equalizer by Harmanpreet.
