India loses 0-1 to Belgium in Europe tour opener

Both teams went neck-and-neck till the very end before a lapse in concentration from India cost it dearly in the dying minutes of the fourth and final quarter of its opening encounter.

After failing to break the deadlock in the first three quarters, India conceded the solitary goal towards the end of the final quarter, with Tom Boon of Belgium (60th minute) finding the back of the net. (Representative Image)

A young Indian men’s hockey team fought hard but lost 0-1 to host Belgium in its opening game of the five-match European tour.

Both teams went neck-and-neck till the very end before a lapse in concentration from India cost it dearly in the dying minutes of the match, with Tom Boon of Belgium (60th minute) finding the back of the net to grab the lead.

India fielded as many as six uncapped players for the tour with Manpreet Singh as skipper and Chinglensana Singh as his deputy. Some of the key players who featured in the World League Semifinal have been rested.

During the tour, India will lock horns with Belgium, Netherlands and Austria. It will next take on Belgium again on August 10.