Rourkela erupted with hockey fervor on Saturday as Belgium delivered a masterclass, defeating hosts India 4-2 in the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 Rourkela leg at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. This marks India’s third consecutive loss in the leg, following their earlier 3-1 defeat to the same opponents. With eyes now on their final leg match against Argentina on Sunday, India faces mounting pressure to salvage pride.
Alexander Hendricks stole the show for Belgium, netting a stunning brace in the 14th and 17th minutes via lethal drag-flicks from penalty corners. The visitors built an unassailable 4-0 lead by halftime, thanks to Hugo Laboucheere’s opener in the 11th minute and Arthur de Sloover’s clinical finish in the 15th. India’s response came too late, with Aditya Lalage (24′) and captain Harmanpreet Singh (37′) pulling two back in the second half, but it wasn’t enough against Belgium’s rock-solid defense.
From the outset, Belgium dictated terms, controlling possession and forcing India into defensive scrambles. Hardik Singh sparked early excitement with a surging forward run, but the hosts struggled to breach Belgium’s backline. A seventh-minute Indian goal was controversially disallowed, handing momentum straight to the Belgians.
Laboucheere converted the first penalty corner with precision, and Hendricks doubled the lead moments later with a thunderous flick. Despite goalkeeper Suraj Kakkera’s heroics, including a crucial foot save, de Sloover made it 3-0 via a clever variation on the third corner. Hendricks’ second sealed the first-half dominance at 4-0.
India mounted a spirited comeback post-halftime. Abhishek’s probing run in the 24th minute forced a rebound that Lalage slammed home. In the third quarter, Harmanpreet leveled his season tally with a drag-flick from a Sukhjeet Singh-earned corner, igniting hopes at 4-2. The final quarter saw near-misses—India nearly clawed to 4-3, only for Loic van Doren to deny them spectacularly. Pawan’s double save in the 56th kept the fight alive, but Belgium’s defense held firm till the final whistle.
This loss underscores India’s challenges in converting pressure into points against top-tier sides. Belgium’s clinical penalty corner execution—four from four—proved decisive. As India prepares for Argentina, coach Fulton will demand sharper finishing and defensive resilience to end the leg positively.