The Indian men’s team’s dismal campaign at the Hockey World Cup 2026 ended with a heartbreaking shootout loss to Belgium on Friday, August 28. The match ended 3-3 in normal time before Vincent Vanasch became the hero for the Belgian side, making two crucial stops during the shootout as the Tokyo Olympics gold medallists won it 4-3 in the end.
For India, Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh missed their shots in the intense penalty shootout, and Mohith could make only one save as they headed home after failing to beat any of the higher-ranked teams they faced in the tournament.
HOCKEY WORLD CUP: FULL COVERAGE
But India did show fight during the match as they secured a goal in the final minute to push the match into a shootout. But ultimately, it was their reluctance to push forward and attack that led to them losing the match and allowing Belgium to finish in seventh spot.
INDIA SURVIVE AS BELGIUM REMAIN WASTEFUL
Belgium are going through a transition phase at the moment, with the likes of Tom Boon, Alex Hendrickx and others entering the twilight of their careers.
This was seen in the performances of the Tokyo Olympics gold medallists, who were in the final of the last two editions of the men’s World Cups. Despite this, it was Belgium who started the game strongly and pushing India into their own half. They were enjoying a lot of possession and circle entries and it seemed like the goal was going to come.
But no one expected it at that point to come from India. Against the run of play, in the sixth minute, India moved the ball into the D with a couple of effective passes and Abhishek’s ball was guided into the net by Hendrickx.
However, this started an onslaught from the Belgians, who started to enter the circle with ease and started to get shots away. Suraj Karkera was needed to stop Hendrickx’s PC. Thibeau Stockbroekx made his way into the D and Jugraj put his body on the line in the eighth minute to stop a goal.
Karkera was needed again in the 9th minute as Nelson Onana had the Indian defence in all sorts of trouble. If one of the things that India has been culprits to during this tournament it was making mistakes.
And this time, they committed a schoolboy error. During the 11th minute, India was penalised for having 12 players on the field and Harmanpreet was shown a yellow card.
With 10 men, India were made to face all the pressure from Belgium, but they were able to deal with it. More than the Indian resistance, it was more about Belgium not being efficient in front of goal.
Tom Boon had a chance to level in the final minute of the first quarter, but his shot went just wide.
The second quarter started with India being back to 11 men, but the momentum was with Belgium. Stockbroekx had an attempt in the 19th minute, but Mohith was able to make the save.
But India was walking a tight rope at that point. The Indian team, throughout the tournament, has been happy to be defending low as the higher-ranked sides started to throw everything at them from the get-go.
This time, they got hit twice in two minutes as Belgium took the lead. First, the Indian defence was cut open and Roman Duvekot found the equaliser in the 22nd minute.
Just seconds later, Belgium got a PC and Hugo Labouchere scored to put his side in the lead.
The issue for Belgium wasn’t that they weren’t creating chances, but failing to convert them. They had another PC missed in the final minute before heading into the break.
By the time it was half-time, Belgium had 21 circle entries, 7 penalty corners and 15 shots at goal.
And this was the issue with Belgium throughout the campaign. They were ranked second last in terms of goals scored with 10 before the match and the same when it comes to PC efficency with 16.67 percent.
INDIA MAKE COMEBACK
The second half started with India looking to wrestle some momentum back and they found the equaliser. There were no surprises in who had scored the goal as it was captain Harmanpreet who put it past Vincent Vanasch in goal.
And once again, it was Belgium with the momentum and India being happy to sit back and defend. The PCs were coming in thick and fast for Belgium and each one of them was being saved.
They had a goal disallowed in the 34th minute as it seemed like India were happy to take the match into a shootout.
India almost got another goal as a different PC routine created chaos with the Belgian ranks. By the time that the third quarter came to an end, India seemed to be in the contest and frustrating Belgium.
But then, they lost Manpreet Singh to a freak injury and he got a cut right above his left eye. Soon after, Arthur de Sloover got the goal that put Belgium back in the lead.
India were trying to push ahead, with Harmanpreet playing centre forward at times. Belgium were happy not to sit back and they kept applying pressure.
India decided to take off their goalkeeper with Sanjay being the flying one. And in the last minute of the game, India secured a PC and it led to Harmanpreet levelling the game and pushing it into a shootout.
INDIA CRUMBLE UNDER SHOOTOUT PRESSURE
The shootout started with a bit of a mix-up as Harmanpreet didn’t hear the hooter and stood there for a long time. But in the second chance, he fluffed his chance and Vanasch made the save.
Tom Boon may had missed many chances during the game, but he rounded off Mohith easily and gave Belgium the lead. Sukhjeet stepped up next and Vanasch pulled off another stunner to give his side the advantage.
Mohith came to the rescue the second time as he came out early and Foubert missed his chance. Vanasch almost pulled off another save but Shilanand was able to hold his nerves and got the goal to level things.
De Sloover restored the lead with a sensational effort and the pressure was back on India. But Dilpreet restored parity as India needed a save from Mohith.
But the Indian goalkeeper conceded a penalty stroke, which Hendrickx was able to slot it home.
Abhishek stepped up next and scored to make it 3-3 with Belgium having the last go. Duvekot was able to hit the goal and Mohith tried his best to check if there was a back stick.
But the refs awarded the goal and Belgium got the win.
In the end, it wrapped up a campaign for India where they should have done a lot better. While the women got a fifth spot, the men’s side was expected to go into the semis.
“It’s really disappointing. We should have won some matches where we were leading the score. But I think that’s how hockey is. Whoever got the opportunity and they executed in the match, won,” said Hardik after the match.
Now, the attention will shift to the Asian Games, where they will be favourites. But, once again, the sting of missing out the chance to impress at the World Cup will live on and the streak will extend to 55 years.
– Ends
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