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The Indian males’s hockey group’s dream of getting into the Olympics last after 41-years remained unfulfilled because it misplaced 2-5 to world champions Belgium within the last-four stage however the facet continues to be within the hunt for a bronze within the Tokyo Video games right here on Tuesday.
Alexander Hendrickx (nineteenth, forty ninth, 53rd minutes), the match’s highest aim getter, scored a hat-trick whereas Loick Luypaert (2nd minute) and John-John Dohmen (sixtieth) additionally struck at hand the reigning silver-medallists their second successive entry into the ultimate of the Olympics.
India’s targets got here from the sticks of Harmanpreet Singh (seventh) and Mandeep Singh (eighth).
India’s final look within the last of the Olympics got here approach again in 1980 Moscow Video games, the place they went on to win their final of the eight gold medals.
The Indians had solely themselves responsible for Tuesday’s disappointment as Belgium’s all 4 targets got here from penalty corners.
The Indian defence was put beneath relentless stress by the Belgians as they secured as many as 14 penalty corners out of which they transformed 4.
Belgium’s recreation plan was clear from the onset as they tried to enter the Indian circle and earn penalty corners with Hendrickx and Luypaert of their ranks.
The ploy labored to perfection because the Indian defence wilted beneath stress to concede the set items.
India too earned 5 penalty corners within the match however may make use of only one.
The Indians nonetheless have an opportunity to safe an elusive medal from the Olympics as they may function within the bronze medal match on Thursday towards the shedding group from the second semifinal between Australia and Germany later within the day. PTI
