The Indian women’s hockey team ended its Europe Tour on a high after getting the better of Belgium junior men’s team 4-3 in a thrilling encounter here.
For India, Gurjit Kaur (7th and 11th minutes) and captain Rani (13th and 33rd minutes) scored twice to give the visitor its first win of the tour.
A rampant Indian team started the match with some enthralling attacking play as it earned a penalty corner in the 7th minute, which was well converted by drag-flicker Gurjit to give India the lead.
The defender extended India’s lead in the 11th minute, converting another penalty corner to make it 2-0.
Skipper Rani also got onto the score sheet as she netted the ball via a well taken field goal in the 13th minute to further extend the lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter began with goalkeeper Rajani Etimarpu making her second diving save of the match to deny the Belgians from opening their account.
India displayed grit and fight throughout the second quarter as it held onto its 3-0 lead at the end of 30 minutes. It started the third quarter with some high intensity play, which reaped dividends in the 33rd minute as Rani scored her second goal of the match to make it 4-0.
However, Belgium finally managed to get past India’s sturdy defence when Thibault Neven converted a PC in the 38th minute to make it 1-4.
The host produced a great field goal in the 42nd minute via William Van Dessel to end the 3rd quarter with India still leading 4-2.
The Belgium carried on the momentum in the fourth quarter as well with Mathias Relik converting a PC for a third goal in the 48th minute, thus reducing the margin to 3-4.
After a nervy last 10 minutes, which saw Belgium pile on some pressure in search of the equaliser, India held onto its nerves and defended as a unit to have the last laugh.
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