Bhubaneswar: Aug 3: India’s dream for Gold in the Tokyo Olympics men’s hockey tournament came to an end with a 2-5 defeat to world champions Belgium in the semifinals here on Tuesday.
Indian Team have played well so far. In this semi-final knock also, it fought well and got a lead of 2-1 in the first quarter but further it could not defend the attack of Belgium. India conceded too many penalty corners which allow Belgium to level the scores and took 5-2 lead in the fourth quarter to seal a place in the final.
Alexander Hendrickx scored a hat-trick to seal Belgium’s victory. He scored two off penalty corners in the 19th and 49th minute and converted a penalty stroke in the 53rd min to put the match beyond India’s reach.
Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh were the Indian goal scorers in the match.
Belgium reached their second successive Olympics final and shall play the winner of the second semifinal between Australia and Germany.
India will take on the team losing the second semifinal for the bronze medal.
