India 1-3 Belgium Hockey Highlights, FIH Pro League 2025-26: Men In Blue Concede Late Goals To Lose Campaign Opener

Greetings and welcome everyone. The Indian men's hockey team begins a fresh FIH Pro League campaign today, and we will bring to you the latest updates from its first fixture, against Belgium.

Pushback is scheduled for 7:30pm IST. The India vs Belgium, FIH Pro League 2025-26 hockey match will be telecast on the Star Sports Khel TV channel in India. It will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in the country.

This is how India and Belgium line up tonight:

The two sets of players jog on to the pitch, so do the umpires. After the customary rituals, handshakes and national anthems, the first quarter begins amid considerable fan fervour in Rourkela. India attacking from left to right in the first half.

The first penalty corner of the game goes to Belgium, but the Indian defence does well to thwart them, with the first rusher intercepting the drag flick nicely.

India bag a penalty corner of their own but are unable to make anything of it. It's been pretty evenly contested so far, both teams making quick turn overs and counter-attacking at every available opportunity.

The first quarter ends goalless, and the second one begins soon after with Belgium resuming their offensive. They garner an early penalty corner, and it takes a brilliant save from India goalie Pawan to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

All the pressure they have built bubbles over, and Belgium draw first blood! Nelson Onana comes up with a sharp hit that beats Pawan all ends up in the 23rd minute. India need a response before half-time to get the crowd going.

India have the equaliser before half-time indeed! A penalty corner, as is so often the case with this team, creates the opportunity and Shilanand Lakra is alert at the goalmouth to slam the ball in.

The hooter for the first half is sounded soon after India's goal. That would surely set the tone for what should be an enthralling second half.

The players return from the mid-game interval and the third quarter gets underway. India exert early pressure on the Belgian defence to make a statement after their goal at the stroke of half-time.

Belgium earn their fourth penalty corner around the halfway stage of the third quarter. The drag flick is powerful but Jarmanpreet does tremendously well at the goalline to keep the shot out. That's how India need to defend to keep the visitors at bay.

India withstand Belgium's onslaught to end the third quarter unscathed. The scoreline still reads 1-1, with a very interesting final 15 minutes coming up.

Thomas Crols nets Belgium's second! The familiar issue of defensive frailty in the closing stages of games returns to haunt India as they concede with seven minutes left on the clock.

And another one! Arno Van Dessel this time with a 57th-minute strike that India challenge for obstruction. After looking at replays, the TV umpire decides that no advice is possible. Belgium keep their goal and India their referral. The outcome is as good as decided, however.

There comes the final hooter. Belgium deservedly emerge 3-1 victors, capitalizing on India's laxity in defence in the fourth quarter. The hosts' Pro League campaign is off to a disappointing start, but lots to learn and take away from how they fared tonight.